Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the findings of the ADE: Heat Networks Cost of Heat Research, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to create a level playing field on carbon for the heat network sector.

We thank the ADE for their research. The government is clear that zoning will support the development of low-cost, low-carbon heat networks across England. We recognise that some heat networks will need time to meet the zoning emissions limits that will be required to develop in zones; that is why we have set the emissions limit to come into force from 2030. Funding is available through the Green Heat Network Fund to support the development of new low-carbon heat networks, or the decarbonisation of existing heat networks.