To what extent is the Heat Network Delivery Unit successful in its support of local authorities

In order to move towards provision of low-carbon efficient heating through DH, longer-term strategic planning and coordination from local authorities is thought to be needed to allow more widespread connections. However, historically, they have had little involvement in energy system development. The main support in England and Wales for local authorities to take on this new role is through DECC’s Heat Network Delivery Unit (HNDU) that funds local authorities to commission heat mapping and feasibility studies for projects; effectively providing a greater resolution of information upon which to base investment decisions. This paper examines whether the HNDU approach of improving the information and data that local authorities have at their disposal is effective for supporting them to strategically facilitate DH development. Three interviews with case study local authorities in England were drawn upon to provide some early insights into how local authorities are using, or plan to use, the information from HNDU supported studies. The results are used to discuss the possible opportunities for the HNDU to improve its support of local authorities for facilitating greater district heating development in the future. A methodology is proposed for exploring these research questions in more depth.