Heat networks target 2035 consultation: business and regulatory impact assessment - partial

14. Enforcement, Sanctions, and Monitoring

As set out above, the 2021 Act sets targets for the amount of thermal energy to be supplied by heat networks by 2027 and 2030. Chapter 7 of the Heat Networks Delivery Plan notes that:

• the Scottish Ministers will review the Heat Networks Delivery Plan and report every 2 years on the heat output of heat networks and emissions savings.
• Data reporting requirements will be developed as part of work to develop the regulatory system and will be subject to consultation in due course. We will work with the sector to ensure these requirements are proportionate and do not put an undue burden on heat network operators.

The proposed 2035 target follows the targets set for 2027 and 2030 and so is expected to use the same monitoring procedures as the 2027 and 2030 targets.

In other words, the monitoring of the 2035 target would be expected to be the same irrespective of which of the potential targets set out in the consultation document the statutory 2035 target might be based on.