'Equivalent support' for heat networks must be delivered

Kieran Sinclair, Heat Policy Manager at the ADE, said:We welcome the announcement that heat network customers will see reduced bills as a result of the Government Energy Bill Relief Scheme. This will have a significant impact on customers' heating bills this winter.However, there is still more that needs to be done. The new fund that the Prime Minister announced earlier this month will need to bridge the gap between this scheme and the Energy Price Guarantee, to achieve the 'equivalent support' for heat networks that has been promised.We would also like to see more clarity on what this support package means for large industrial users, who form the backbone of many regional economies. The Government has not yet made it clear which types of these large energy users will fall within scope of the support, and we stress that businesses reliant on technologies such as Combined Heat and Power (CHP) must not be excluded.