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HeatSource publish a monthly round up of news, events and activities from across the Clean Heat sector in Scotland, subscribe to make sure you’re among the first to hear about future opportunities, funding and publications relevant to your organisation.
Launch of new regulatory rules for heat networks
On 27 January 2026, new consumer protection rules will be formally launched to allow Ofgem to begin regulating heat networks in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). This follows the introduction of advice and advocacy services for heat network consumers which began in April 2025.
Over time, consumers should expect a more consistent standard of service across the sector. They will also have a clear route to hold operators and suppliers accountable if their heat network fails to meet these standards.
Charles Hargreaves, deputy director compliance – heat networks at Ofgem, highlights what it takes to prepare for compliance when the regulation of heat networks begins this month.
Scotland's National Retrofit Centre wins award for Heating
The retrofit of Scotland's National Retrofit Centre has won the Public Sector Project of the Year at the 2025 Energy Saving Awards for its unique system that combines ground and air source heat pumps with photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T).
Shaping Scotland's Built Environment Cluster - Online
BE-ST has been appointed by Scottish Enterprise to undertake work which develops its role as a Cluster Management Organisation for the built environment. This will be delivered in a consortium with Optimat, who will provide actionable sector specific insights, alongside the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) and their network, ensuring the approach is led by industry.
We are hosting an online session on 4th February as part of a wider engagement process to ensure that any future cluster reflects the real needs, priorities and opportunities within our sector.
One of the sub-themes is retrofit including heating systems. For those unable to make the online session or for the opportunity to offer more in-depth insights, complete the survey here in your own time.
Support
Heat Network Tender opportunity
Abertay University is exploring the development of a low carbon heat network to support the decarbonisation of its city centre campus in Dundee and contribute to its net zero target for 2038. Abertay wishes to engage with the market to understand capability, technical approaches, delivery models, financing considerations, and supply chain readiness. Responses will help shape the Procurement Strategy, including determining the appropriate route to market.
Find out more about this tender opportunity.
DESNZ are exploring the role of alternative clean heating solutions.
The UK Government has launched a consultation on the role of alternative heat technologies. Acknowledging that while heat pumps and heat networks will provide decarbonised heat in many buildings, there will be situations where they are not suitable and consumers in all sorts of buildings will want further options. DESNZ wants to better understand what alternative technologies are available across different types of domestic and non-domestic properties.
Further details on the consultation can be found here.
Closing date is 10 February 2026.
Recent news
Heat generated by granite beneath Aberdeen could be used to heat properties across the city.
The University of Aberdeen has secured a £1 million public grant for a geothermal feasibility pilot study in a bid to unlock the ‘heat beneath our feet’ in the Granite City. Read here.
2025 was a record year for renewables. 2026 must be the year to scale up.
The MCS Foundation’s CEO Garry Felgate reflects on the progress made in 2025 and what the Warm Homes Plan must deliver to decarbonise homes, heat and energy. Read here.
New flats in Cardiff are the first residential buildings in the city to get heat and hot water from a new steam-powered green heating system.
The network, which cost £15.5m, captures heat from steam already produced as a by-product of the process that powers electricity-generating turbines at Viridor's Trident Park Energy Recovery Facility. Read here.
Events
Heat Networks in Scotland | 21 Jan | Edinburgh
The Embassy of Denmark will be at tomorrow’s Heat Networks in Scotland event for an exciting mix of public and private sector voices, all focused on delivering heat networks across Scotland. Find out more.
Transitional RESP Launch Webinar | 30 Jan | Online
The transitional RESP (tRESP) is the first publication in the journey towards transforming and improving local energy infrastructure, developing bespoke plans for Scotland, Wales and nine English regions. The final tRESP will be published on 30th January, when NESO will be running this 90-minute launch webinar. Register here.
Decarbonising Heat in Scotland’s Social Housing - Webinar | 12 Feb | Online
This practical webinar explores how landlords, designers and policymakers are delivering clean heat solutions through a fabric-first approach and whole-house retrofits. Hear directly from the Scottish Government, a registered social landlord, and leading architects as they share real-world project examples, pilot results and design strategies that are shaping the future of social housing retrofit. Register here.
HeatSource Champion News
Vital Energi wins work on pair of decarbonisation projects
Vital Energi has secured a contract with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to decarbonise two sites – Friarage Hospital and The James Cook University Hospital. The project, funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), will see the company design, build, operate and maintain air source heat pumps at both sites.
Scottish Enterprise's green heat newsletter
Receive periodic information on market opportunities relating to green heat, including funding grants, market reports, relevant events, innovation and exports. Sign up here.
Heat Network Support Unit Newsletter
The Heat Network Support Unit (HNSU) supports the growth of heat networks by addressing key challenges in the pre-capital stages of heat network development and building capacity across the public sector to deliver successful projects. Sign up here.
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This is an exciting time, with revolutionary advancements set to redefine the low carbon heat sector.