The Scottish Government introduced the Heat Networks (Scotland) Bill on 2 March. This will introduce regulation and a licensing system for district and communal heating networks in Scotland. The Scottish Government said heat networks development would help it meet its climate change targets and help tackle fuel poverty.
Welcoming the bill, Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) Chief Executive Derek Mitchell said: “The Heat Networks Bill is an important step forward in the bid to tackle the climate crisis and establish oversight of what currently is an unregulated sector.”
He also said: “So although this Bill is welcome, CAS will also be calling on the UK Government to strengthen consumer protection, which is currently a reserved matter, as part of its current consultation on heat networks and we will continue to work closely with both governments as this legislation progresses for the benefit of all consumers.”