HPA UK backs push for heat networks
23rd July 2026
UK: Heat Pump Association UK (HPA UK) has urged the government to provide greater regulatory clarity, targeted funding and stronger policy recognition for heat-pump-driven low-carbon heat networks.
HPA UK insists that the ambitions for heat networks will be difficult to achieve without a framework that supports deployment at scale.
The proposals are contained in a new publication – Accelerating the Deployment of Heat Pump Driven Low Carbon Heat Networks and Drilling – focuses on shared ground loops (SGL), ambient heat networks, heat-pump-driven traditional heat networks and the drilling infrastructure that underpins many of these systems.
Heat networks are expected to meet around 20% of UK heating demand by 2050, compared with approximately 3% today, requiring an almost sevenfold growth over the coming decades.
It maintains that achieving this expansion will require policies that recognise the role of SGLs and ambient heat networks, while improving traditional systems.
HPA UK recommends that the UK government should formally recognise shared ground loops and ambient heat networks as compliant within zoning and regulatory frameworks, and are afforded the statutory rights accompanying zoned network status while ensuring standards and obligations are proportionate to their low-temperature nature.
It also calls for the early identification of viable locations and enabling delivery through effective tools and funding, while designing schemes to support heat pump-led networks in suitable buildings.
Other recommendations include standardise drilling permits, investing in training, and enhancing national ground data to unlock the full value of underutilised heat sources.
For its part the HPA UK says that the sector has committed to compiling case studies that demonstrate the performance, cost-effectiveness and carbon benefits of heat pump-driven low-carbon heat networks and drilling-based solutions across a range of settings.
It also seeks to provide robust performance data to ensure the characteristics of heat pump-driven low-carbon heat networks are accurately reflected in SAP, the Home Energy Model, HNTAS assessments and funding eligibility criteria.
Technical guidance and best practice on SGL system design, commissioning, monitoring and long-term thermal management will also be developed.
“This is an exciting and important time for our industry as it is on the cusp of massive growth. Heat pump-driven heat networks are one of the most practical and cost-effective routes to decarbonising heat at scale,” commented HPA UK technical consultant Dr Joel Hamilton.
“HPA UK’s key asks addresses the issues that have held back deployment and, with the right policies and support, the UK has a genuine opportunity to make heat pump-driven heat networks a cornerstone of its clean heat transition,” he added.
The full publication – Accelerating the Widescale Deployment of Heat Pump Driven Low Carbon Heat Networks and Drilling – can be viewed on the HPA UK website.
