Three councils will share funding of £30 million to develop heat networks. The funding was awarded under both the Heat Network Investment Project (HNIP) and its successor, the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) launched in March 2022.
The funding is:
• Wigan Council secured £2.6 million from the final round of the HNIP to support development of a heat network which is part of a £190 million redevelopment of the Galleries Shopping Centre and Market Hall Buildings in the town centre. Low-carbon ambient heating loops will replacing current outdated systems.
• Hull City Council has been awarded £1 million commercialisation and £12 million construction funding for the development of a low carbon heat network, part of Hull’s Carbon Neutral 2030 strategy. GHNF will help to kickstart the first phase of Hull’s city-wide heat decarbonisation plan. The investment will deliver an additional 22 GWh of electricity from Hull and East Riding domestic and commercial waste to 46 public and private sector customers.
• Peterborough’s Integrated Renewables Infrastructure (PIRI) has been awarded over £14 million for the development of a smart energy network which utilises intelligent digital platforms to manage and improve energy consumption. Known as “energy as a service”, PIRI will be use existing assets to improve energy consumption through renewable technologies whilst minimising disruption to local grids. Once the project is complete, it will transport renewable heat and electrical power from Peterborough’s Energy Recovery Facility direct to the city’s buildings via a series of underground pipework and cables.
Building on the success of the HNIP and responding to the UK’s commitment to net zero, the GHNF officially opened for applications in March 2022. The £288 million fund continues to provide targeted financial support for commercialisation and construction of heat network projects in England with a key focus on deployment.

Following the announcement, the UK Infrastructure Bank has offered to provide further investment to ensure these innovative low-carbon solutions can go above and beyond to deliver sustainable heat networks. John Flint, chief executive of the UK Infrastructure Bank said: “Helping local authorities unlock access to finance for heat networks will be crucial. The Bank is well placed to play a significant role in supporting the development of heat networks and we are pleased to be taking the next step through our new partnership with BEIS in fulfilment of this ambition.”