Citizens Advice response to Ofgem’s consultation on Heat Networks Regulation: Authorisation Conditions
Citizens Advice welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation on Ofgem's Draft Authorisation conditions for Heat Networks. We are pleased to see these authorisation conditions in draft form and look forward to the move to regulation in January 2026. Heat Networks operate as natural monopolies, meaning consumers usually cannot shop around for a new tariff, improved customer service, or a more reliable heat supply. This means that good regulation is even more important to drive good outcomes.
Overall, these authorisation conditions represent a positive step for consumer protections in the sector. We find that the draft authorisation conditions have good standards of drafting consistency, with clear read-across to standard conditions of supply licence in the gas and electricity markets. Their proper application, accompanied by well resourced and effective monitoring and enforcement, will improve outcomes for consumers.