Research and analysis

Evaluation of the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) scheme

Findings from evaluation research into the administration, delivery and impacts of the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) main scheme and earlier pilot.

• From: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Published: 11 April 2018
• Last updated: 7 December 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Evaluation of the Heat Networks Investment Project: main scheme

Ref: DESNZ research paper number: 2023/041

PDF, 2.72 MB, 185 pages

Evaluation of the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP): pilot process report (published 2018)

PDF, 1.37 MB, 112 pages

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Learning from the Heat Networks Investment Project pilot (published 2018)

PDF, 1.23 MB, 4 pages

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HNIP evaluation: impact evaluation of the pilot (published 2020)

Ref: BEIS research paper: 2020/040

PDF, 1.04 MB, 117 pages

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Details

These reports details the findings of the independent evaluation research for the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) main and pilot schemes.

HNIP provided capital support for commercialisation and construction of new heat networks in England and Wales, or the expansion and connection of existing ones. The aim of HNIP was to create the conditions for a self-sustaining heat network market that contributes to the decarbonisation of the UK energy system at the lowest cost to the economy by 2050. The scheme was launched in 2018 and closed to applications in January 2022.

The evaluations summarise scheme impacts and process learning, with the objective of offering lessons learned to inform any further development of the scheme and any future similar schemes.

Main scheme evaluation 2023

The main scheme evaluation was commissioned by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and undertaken by a consortium of Risk Solutions, and the Tavistock Institute for Human Relations.

Pilot scheme evaluation 2018

The pilot scheme evaluation was undertaken by a consortium of Risk Solutions, the Tavistock Institute for Human Relations, the Policy Studies Institute and London Economics.

‘Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP): Learning from the pilot’ outlined lessons learned from the pilot which were used to improve the main scheme.

Published 11 April 2018
Last updated 7 December 2023 + show all updates

1. 7 December 2023

   Published the Evaluation of the Heat Networks Investment Project: main scheme report.

2. 11 April 2018

   First published.