Half a million heat network customers to receive Ofgem protection from this week

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “Bringing heat networks under Ofgem regulation is an important and long-overdue step.

“These networks should be able to deliver low cost energy for some of the poorest households in the country, but for years, heat network customers have effectively been second-class energy consumers, facing huge price hikes, poor service and little meaningful protection.

“Today’s change should finally give heat network customers basic rights around fair pricing, clear billing and redress when things go wrong.

“But regulation alone won’t fix everything.

“Ofgem and Ministers must now make sure these powers are used robustly, vulnerable households are properly protected, and that heat networks genuinely deliver what they promise affordable, reliable heat that helps tackle fuel poverty, not deepen it.”