Section 93: Heat networks delivery plan
230.Section 93 requires the Scottish Ministers to prepare a “Heat Networks Delivery Plan”. Subsection (1) specifies that the Plan must detail how the provisions of the Act – and supporting policies – will result in the greater use of heat networks in Scotland.
231.Subsection (2) specifies that the Plan must also detail how the Scottish Ministers intend to increase the use of heat networks in Scotland; how the Scottish Ministers propose to meet targets specified in section 92(1); how the combined supply of thermal energy from Scotland’s heat networks will be measured; and how the deployment of heat networks will contribute to Scotland’s emissions targets.
232.Subsection (3) places a requirement on the Scottish Ministers to consult when developing the Plan. Subsection (4) requires the Scottish Ministers to publish and lay the Plan in Parliament by 1 April 2022.
233.Subsection (5) obliges the Scottish Ministers to keep the Plan under review. Subsections (6), (7) and (8) combine to require the Scottish Ministers to submit a report to the Scottish Parliament two years from the day on which the initial Plan was published, and every two years thereafter. Subsection (7) sets out what the report must consider.
234.Subsection (9) specifies that when preparing, reviewing, revising or reporting on the Heat Networks Delivery Plan, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the just transition principles as set out in section 35C of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
