Heat Networks (Scotland) Act 2021

PART 8 Heat networks targets and delivery plans

92 Heat network supply targets

(1) The Scottish Ministers must ensure that the combined supply of thermal energy by heat networks in Scotland reaches—

(a) 2.6 terawatt hours of output by 2027,

(b) 6 terawatt hours of output by 2030.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify subsection (1) so as to—

(a) specify an additional target relating to the combined supply of thermal energy by heat networks in Scotland,

(b) modify any target for the time being specified there.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision about targets specified or modified under subsection (2).

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) may in particular make provision about—

(a) the matters to be taken into account by the Scottish Ministers in specifying or modifying targets,

(b) the criteria to be applied in specifying or modifying targets,

(c) carrying out reviews of targets.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify subsection (1) so as to specify an additional target relating to the output from the combined supply of thermal energy by heat networks in Scotland to be reached by 2035.

(6) The Scottish Ministers must, by no later than 1 October 2023, lay a draft of a Scottish statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (5) before the Scottish Parliament.

93 Heat networks delivery plan

(1) The Scottish Ministers must prepare a heat networks delivery plan, setting out how the provisions of this Act, and any other supporting policies, will contribute to increasing the use of heat networks in Scotland.

(2) A heat networks delivery plan must set out—

(a) the approach the Scottish Ministers intend to take to increase the use of heat networks in Scotland,

(b) how the Scottish Ministers propose to meet the targets specified in section 92(1),

(c) how the aggregate heat output of all heat networks in Scotland will be measured,

(d) how the deployment of heat networks in Scotland will contribute to meeting emissions reduction targets set in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

(3) In preparing the heat networks delivery plan the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

(4) The Scottish Ministers must—

(a) publish the heat networks delivery plan, and

(b) lay a copy of it before the Scottish Parliament,

no later than 1 April 2022.

(5) The Scottish Ministers are to keep the heat networks delivery plan under review and may revise it at any time.

(6) At the end of each of the reporting periods the Scottish Ministers must—

(a) review the heat networks delivery plan,

(b) lay a report before the Scottish Parliament on that review.

(7) A report under subsection (6) must consider—

(a) how this Act and associated policies have contributed to an increase in the use of heat networks in Scotland in the reporting period,

(b) what progress has been made in the aggregate heat output of all heat networks in Scotland in the reporting period and, in particular, in meeting the targets specified in section 92(1),

(c) how the deployment of heat networks in Scotland has contributed to meeting emissions reduction targets set in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 during the reporting period.

(8) The reporting periods are—

(a) the period of 2 years beginning with the day on which the first heat networks delivery plan is published under subsection (4),

(b) each subsequent period of 2 years.

(9) The Scottish Ministers must have regard to the just transition principles (within the meaning of section 35C of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009)—

(a) in preparing the heat networks delivery plan,

(b) in reviewing, and making any revision of, the plan under subsection (5),

(c) in reviewing the plan under subsection (6), and

(d) in preparing a report under subsection (6) on each such review.