Notice: Apply for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) Grant
In context
This call is open to small and medium-sized businesses, large companies and non-profits and 3 others. Funding is a grant. Coverage is read from the notice itself: United Kingdom.
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme funds performance improvements to existing district heating and communal heating networks in Great Britain. It is aimed at heat network operators and asset owners seeking to reduce energy use and emissions from their existing schemes.
About this grant
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) provides funding to public, private and third sector applicants in England and Wales to support performance improvements to existing district heating or communal heating projects that are operating sub-optimally and resulting in poor outcomes for customers and operators. It is a £107 million grant support programme spanning financial years 2023-2024 to 2029-2030, delivered in funding rounds. The scheme is a core element of the government's Heat Network Transformation Programme and follows on from the HNES Demonstrator that ran from October 2021 to March 2022. It is led by delivery partner Talan, supported by Ramboll, Lux Nova and Gleeds. The guidance for applicants sets out the application process, eligibility criteria, how applications are scored and assessed, and the monitoring and reporting obligations for successful applicants. Guidance videos are also provided on practical steps heat network operators can take to improve system performance under HNES. Round 13 closed on 9 October 2026. Round 14 is expected to open on 30 November 2026, subject to budget availability, with details to be published on the page.
Get the official link (free account)
Create a free account to open the official notice and application link: 1 official link a month, free. Pro opens every link.
Eligibility
The HNES is open to organisations in the public, private or third sectors operating in England and Wales. Applicants must be operating existing district heating or communal heating projects that are performing sub-optimally. Detailed eligibility criteria are set out in the applicant guidance PDF.
How it's scored
Applications are scored and assessed against criteria described in the HNES guidance for applicants (82-page PDF). The main page does not itemise scoring weightings or panel composition.
Key requirements
- ✓Project must improve performance of an existing district or communal heating network
- ✓Applicants should be heat network operators or asset owners in the UK
- ✓Check the official DESNZ notice for eligibility, deadlines and funding amounts, which are not stated in the listing
Funder contact
The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- Who can apply for Notice: Apply for the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES)?
- Eligibility covers organisations in GB; sme, large-company, nonprofit, social-enterprise, local-authority, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.
Relevant sectors
How this compares
- Compared with 17 similar grants (heating / cooling in United Kingdom) listed in the last 12 months.
- The same organisation listed 10 other similar grants here in the last 12 months.
Closest open grants
Figures are computed from notices listed on Raise Lens in the same sector and country over the last 12 months.
About this sector
Heating and cooling funding supports heat pumps, district heating, thermal networks, efficient cooling and the removal of fossil boilers. It arrives through national support schemes, local authority programmes and procurement for heat networks. Applicants typically need heat demand assessments, a connection plan and an operator for the system.
Free accounts: 1 official link a month · Pro: every link
Quick facts
Get alerts for notices like this
Create a free account and we save a search for this sector and country, so new grants like this one arrive in your weekly email.
Get alerts, free →