Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of making Cornwall a priority area for strategic heat network zoning.

Heat network zoning, due to come into force later this year, will grant new powers to local government to accelerate heat network development in areas where they will be the most affordable heating solution.

We will support at least ten locations to establish their heat network zones soon after Heat Network Zoning Regulations go live. We will announce locations in due course which will be a result of assessing locations across England.

Longer term DESNZ is looking to develop its pipeline of future zones, inviting strategic and local authorities to submit information by 29 May 2026.