DESNZ Heat Networks Planning Database: UK District and Communal Heating Projects

The Heat Networks Planning Database (HNPD) provides a picture of district and communal heat network deployment across the UK. It tracks project progress through stages from inception to decommissioning. Data is sourced from planning applications and developer contacts, updated quarterly by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Use Cases

• Track the deployment pipeline of low-carbon heating infrastructure based on project stage data.
• Analyze regional distribution of heat network projects across the UK.
• Model the growth and maturity of the UK heat network sector based on quarterly updates.
• Assess the transition of projects from planning to construction and operation.

Strengths

• Tracks projects through multiple defined stages, including inception, planning, construction, operation, and decommissioning.
• Updated quarterly, providing a regular snapshot of sector progress.
• Sourced from official planning applications and direct developer contact.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic or reporting bias inherent to the UK planning system.

Provenance

Source

Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), formerly under BEIS.

Collection Method

Data is sourced from reviewing planning applications and contacting developers.

Freshness

Updated during the month following the end of each quarter; last metadata update was 2026-06-05.

Geography

United Kingdom