Apply for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): Round 13

Notice

The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme supports performance improvements to existing district heating or communal heating projects.

From: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Published: 16 December 2022 Last updated: 7 September 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): guidance for applicants

PDF, 2.79 MB, 82 pages This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): overview

PDF, 4.41 MB, 16 pages

Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): privacy notice

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-network-efficiency-scheme-hnes-privacy-notice/heat-network-efficiency-scheme-hnes-privacy-notice

Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): flyer

PDF, 167 KB, 1 page This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) provides funding to public, private and third sector applicants in England and Wales to support improvements to existing district heating or communal heating projects that are operating sub-optimally and resulting in poor outcomes for customers and operators.

It is a £107 million grant support programme spanning years 2023-2024 to 2029-2030.

Eligibility

The HNES is open to organisations in the public, private or third sectors in England and Wales.

How to apply

Read the guidance on how to prepare your application. The guidance provides information on:

1. the application process
2. eligibility criteria
3. how applications will be scored and assessed
4. the monitoring and reporting obligations for successful applicants

Contact hnes@talan.com to request an application form.

HNES Round 13 is open to applications and will close on Friday 9 October 2026. The deadline for requesting an application space is 25 September 2026.

Register for news updates

If you want to be added to the HNES mailing list and receive scheme announcements and news updates, please contact hnes@talan.com.

Guidance

We have produced a series of guidance videos which set out practical steps that heat network operators can take to improve the performance of their systems under HNES.

Background

The HNES is a core element of the government’s Heat Network Transformation Programme (HNTP). It follows on from the HNES Demonstrator which ran from October 2021 to March 2022.

The HNES is led by our delivery partner, Talan, and supported by partners Ramboll, Lux Nova and Gleeds. Find out more about the Delivery Partner and resources.

Find out more about Heat networks.

Further support for heat networks

Heat Networks Delivery Unit

The Heat Networks Delivery Unit (HNDU) provides support to local authorities in England and Wales through the early stages of heat network development, including:

1. heat mapping
2. energy master planning
3. techno-economic feasibility
4. detailed project development

Green Heat Network Fund

The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is a 3 year capital grant fund that supports:

1. the commercialisation and construction of new low and zero carbon (LZC) heat networks (including the supply of cooling)
2. the retrofitting and expansion of existing heat networks

It aims to develop and grow the heat network market and to address some of the challenges of decarbonising the UK’s heat sector.

Updates to this page

Published 16 December 2022 Last updated 7 September 2026 — Show all updates

1. 7 September 2026 HNES Round 13 is open to applications and will close on Friday 9 October 2026. The deadline for requesting an application space is 25 September 2026.
2. 18 August 2026 Applications are now open for Round 13 of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme.
3. 17 June 2026 Published the promotional flyer for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme.
4. 2 June 2026 Applications for Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 12 closed on 22 May 2026. We will publish the details of HNES Round 13 here shortly.
5. 9 April 2026 Updated information about the size of the grant provided and the length of the programme.
6. 7 April 2026 Applications for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 12 are now open and will close on 22 May 2026.
7. 9 February 2026 Applications for Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 11 closed on 6 February 2026. We will publish the details of HNES Round 12 here shortly.
8. 4 February 2026 Applications are now open for Round 11 of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme and will close on 6 February 2026.
9. 2 December 2025 Updated the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES): overview with funding round dates.
10. 1 December 2025 Applications are now open for Round 11 of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme.
11. 20 October 2025 Applications for Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 10 closed on 19 September 2025. We will publish the details of HNES Round 11 here shortly.
12. 5 August 2025 Applications are now open for Round 10 of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme. Round 10 will close on 19 September 2025.
13. 7 May 2025 We will announce the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Round 10 opening date shortly. Round 10 will close on 19 September 2025.
14. 2 April 2025 Applications for Round 9 have now closed. We will publish the details of HNES Round 10 shortly.
15. 31 December 2024 Applications for Round 9 of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme are now open and will close on 28 March 2025.
16. 9 November 2024 Applications for Round 8 have now closed. We will publish the details of HNES Round 9 shortly.
17. 11 October 2024 Guidance updated with dates of new funding rounds and additional application form guidance.
18. 27 July 2024 Applications for Round 7 have now closed. We will publish the details of HNES Round 8 here shortly.
19. 17 July 2024 Guidance updated with dates of new funding rounds and some changes to the application process.
20. 25 March 2024 Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Round 7 now open to applications, closing 26 July 2024.
21. 29 January 2024 HNES privacy notice contact details updated.
22. 8 January 2024 We have extended the deadline for Round 6 to 22 March 2024.
23. 13 November 2023 Round 6 is open and will close to applications on 2 February 2024.
24. 23 September 2023 Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 5 is now open, closing to applications on 10 November 2023.
25. 24 July 2023 Guidance and overview updated to reflect changes to closing dates of Rounds 4 and 5.
26. 10 July 2023 The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Round 4 is now open, closing to applications on 22 September 2023.
27. 23 June 2023 Added HNES Scheme Overview.
28. 20 May 2023 The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Round 3 is now open to applications, closing on 7 July 2023.
29. 5 April 2023 HNES Round 2 is now open and closes to applications on 19 May 2023.
30. 7 February 2023 Heat Networks Efficiency Scheme Round 1 now open to applications.
31. 16 December 2022 First published.