Closed consultation

Heat networks regulation: implementing consumer protections

From:
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ofgem
Published
7 November 2024

We are analysing your feedback

Visit this page again soon to download the outcome to this public feedback.

Summary

We're seeking views on consumer protection requirements such as standards of conduct, protections for vulnerable consumers and more.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

This joint DESNZ / Ofgem consultation seeks views and provides updates on consumer protection requirements around:

  • the scope of regulation
  • how protections will work for non-domestic and small-medium size enterprise consumers
  • overarching standards of conduct
  • obligations for fair pricing
  • protecting vulnerable consumers
  • step-in proposals
  • approaches to segmentation

We have also published:

  • the first set of draft heat network authorisation conditions as an appendix. We’d like views on whether these reflect the intended policy intent
  • an Impact Assessment setting out the benefits and costs of introducing the consumer protections outlined in this consultation

We expect the consultation to be of particular interest to:

  • consumer groups
  • heat network industry, such as developers
  • local government

Ofgem are also running a separate consultation on heat networks regulation authorisation and regulatory oversight, which closes on 31 January 2025.

Background

This is the second part to the earlier consumer protections consultation in 2023 to 2024.

The consumer protection consultations build on policy approaches established in earlier consultations:

Read our consultation privacy notice.

Documents

Heat networks regulation: implementing consumer protections - consultation document

PDF, 1.19 MB, 107 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 networks regulation: implementing consumer protections - impact assessment (IA)

PDF, 487 KB, 39 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 networks regulation: implementing consumer protections - draft authorisation conditions appendix

PDF, 940 KB, 92 pages

Updates to this page

Published 7 November 2024

Sign up for emails or print this page