Metropolitan, the leading independent district energy and multi-utility infrastructure provider, today welcomed the UK Government’s support for district energy and confirmed the company’s plans to grow its substantial involvement in the UK heat market. As the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launches the main scheme of the Heat Networks Investment Program (HNIP), making £320M available to fund sector investment in district energy, Metropolitan is reaffirming its confidence in the UK heat network market and is delighted with this recognition of the important and growing contribution that district energy can make to achieving low-carbon, sustainable development. Metropolitan has a strong track record in this field having, for example, delivered low-carbon heat networks for the landmark urban regeneration at King’s Cross in London and at Greenwich Millennium Village. Focussing on district energy and building on its considerable expertise in this field, the company is planning to have more than 50,000 connected customers in ten years’ time. This growth is expected to result in the creation of hundreds of new jobs across the UK in the district energy sector and will be supported by £100M of capital expenditure over the same period. Metropolitan offers developers and housebuilders a unique multi-utility package, combining the provision of district energy networks with the full range of other utilities: gas, electricity, ultrafast fibre, water and wastewater; and thereby delivering time and cost-savings through the procurement and implementation phases of a development. The company is committed to the highest standards of quality, service and customer protection. It was one of the first to register a scheme with the Heat Trust, the industry-led, self-regulatory initiative which recognises best practice and supports the recent decision to introduce regulation to the heat network sector. “We are very excited at the prospects for the growth of district energy in the UK”, commented Jeremy Bungey, managing director of Metropolitan. “Today’s announcement means that the sector has an unprecedented opportunity to lead the way in low-carbon development. The availability of funding through the HNIP, backed by active Government commitment, means that developments will be able to incorporate the most energy-efficient heating systems for the benefit of whole communities. Such district energy systems not only deliver core services but also create jobs.” Claire Perry, Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, said: “The UK has led the world in cutting emissions whilst growing our economy – with clean growth driving incredible innovation and creating hundreds of thousands of high quality jobs. Ten years on from the Climate Change Act, the first ever Green GB week is a time to build on our successes and explain the huge opportunities for business and young people of a cleaner economy. I’m delighted to see how many more businesses and organisations such as BUUK are seizing this multi-billion-pound opportunity to energize their communities to tackle the very serious threat of climate change.” Metropolitan is part of the BUUK Infrastructure Group. BUUK Infrastructure is the leading independent provider of last-mile utility networks, constructing and operating essential utility assets in the UK. BUUK Infrastructure has a unique, integrated approach providing all the essential utilities; gas, electricity, water, wastewater, fibre-to-the-home and district heat networks. Visit www.met-i.co.uk