Nottingham City Council has confirmed the next stage in plans to support the long-term growth and development of the city’s district heating network, which has provided affordable, reliable, low-carbon heat and hot water to homes and businesses across Nottingham for over 50 years.
The network was ahead of its time when first launched in the 1970s when few local authorities were investing in large-scale heat infrastructure.
It currently supplies around 5,000 domestic and commercial customers with heat generated at the Eastcroft energy-from-waste facility.
At a time when global energy markets have seen significant price volatility in recent years, district heating networks can provide greater stability by generating heat locally and reducing sustained exposure to wholesale gas price fluctuations.
By capturing energy that would otherwise be lost, the system has helped Nottingham significantly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill while cutting carbon emissions, supporting the city’s drive to tackle climate change.
Following detailed technical assessments over the past year, the Council is now exploring how strategic partnerships and specialist expertise could support the continued development and expansion of the network in the years ahead.
Working collaboratively with experienced partners would help build on the network’s strong foundations, supporting future growth while ensuring the system remains resilient, efficient and fit for the future.
The Government aims for district heating networks to provide 20% of total UK heat demand by 2050, a significant increase from the current ~3%. Nottingham is getting ahead of the curve and is a big advantage in terms of infrastructure compared to other Core Cities.
Expanding the network also allows fixed infrastructure costs to be shared across a larger number of customers, which can help keep the cost of heat lower over time. Growth at this scale also presents wider social value opportunities, including local jobs, skills and training, helping to ensure the benefits of the network’s development are felt across Nottingham’s communities.
As Nottingham’s regeneration continues, major developments such as Broad Marsh can be linked to the network.
Protecting continuity of service is central to the Council’s approach, and ensuring reliable heat for existing customers will remain a key priority as the network continues to evolve.
From January 2026, customers also benefit from new national protections as heat networks come under the regulation of Ofgem for the first time. Pricing must reflect the genuine cost of supplying heat, and networks will be subject to national oversight, helping ensure fair and transparent charging, although – as with any energy system – future prices will still depend on wider market conditions.
The Council is now preparing to take the network into its next chapter, focused on building on five decades of success while unlocking opportunities for future growth across the city.
Cllr Sam Lux, Executive Member for Climate and Energy, said: “Nottingham’s district heating network has been a real success story for more than five decades, turning waste into a valuable source of low-carbon heat and helping to reduce the amount of material sent to landfill.
“As national ambitions for heat networks continue to grow, Nottingham remains in a strong position. While many cities are only now beginning to establish similar infrastructure, Nottingham benefits from an established system and decades of operational experience.
“This next step is about building on that legacy. By working with partners who bring specialist expertise, we can continue to maintain, grow and strengthen the network while protecting customers and ensuring it remains resilient, affordable and fit for the future.
“Expanding the network has the potential to bring lower energy bills to more people, supporting the council’s work to tackle fuel poverty. Residents and businesses can be reassured that safeguarding existing customers is at the heart of everything we’re doing.”
The Council will continue to keep customers, residents and stakeholders informed as plans progress for the network’s future development.