The fund was set up to encourage the transition to low carbon heat networks, and opened to applicants in 2022. It is a grant only scheme, and will soon be entering its 12th round.
The geographical expansion follows the UK government鈥檚 commitment of an聽additional聽拢195 million per year in capital funding for the GHNF through to 2030, announced as part of the Warm Homes Plan. From Round 12, both public and private sector heat network owners and operators in Wales will be eligible to apply.聽
The Welsh Government shares Westminster鈥檚 goal to reach net zero by 2050 and has committed to decarbonising all public sector buildings by 2030. In Cardiff,聽a number of聽buildings are already聽benefiting聽from low carbon heat through the GHNF鈥檚 predecessor, the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP). Extending the GHNF to Wales will scale this progress, with the potential to support thousands more homes and driving decarbonisation across the country.聽
Alongside the GHNF, existing public and private sector heat network owners in Wales can already access support through the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES). This ensures existing district and communal heat networks can deliver more affordable and efficient heating, while the GHNF will fund the development of new low carbon heat networks and the expansion and decarbonisation of existing networks for the long term.聽
The Welsh Government has also taken steps to聽identify聽where heat networks can deliver the greatest benefit. This includes exploring opportunities for community-led ambient temperature heat networks, particularly for homes off the gas grid.聽
In parallel, the Wales Mine Water Heat Opportunity Map is highlighting the potential to harness renewable heat from disused coal mines to serve homes,聽businesses聽and industry. These initiatives create a strong pipeline of projects that the GHNF can support through commercialisation and construction funding.聽