Energy Act 2023

216 Relevant heat network

(1) In this Chapter, “relevant heat network” means—

(a) a district heat network, or

(b) a communal heat network.

(2) In this section—

• “communal heat network” means a heat network by means of which heating, cooling or hot water is supplied only to a single building divided into separate premises or persons in those premises;

• “district heat network” means a heat network by means of which heating, cooling or hot water is supplied to two or more buildings or persons in those buildings;

• “heat network” means a network that, by distributing a liquid or a gas, enables the transfer of thermal energy for the purpose of supplying heating, cooling or hot water to a building or persons in that building (and includes any appliance the main purpose of which is to heat or cool the liquid or gas).

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a network is not excluded from being a heat network only by reason of its being designed to rely wholly or in part on heat pumps particular to the buildings or premises served by the network.

(4) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section for the purposes of changing the definitions of “relevant heat network”, “district heat network”, “communal heat network” and “heat network”.

(5) Regulations under this section are subject to the affirmative procedure.