Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed Government approval of revised legislation that will accelerate the rollout of district heating across Ireland, strengthen consumer protections and improve the country’s long-term energy security.

The Heat (Networks and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 will establish Ireland’s first regulatory framework for district heating, helping to deliver cleaner, more affordable heating while supporting Ireland’s climate targets.

District heating uses insulated pipe networks to distribute heated water from central heat sources to homes, businesses and public buildings. Instead of relying solely on fossil fuels, these systems can capture renewable energy and waste heat from sources such as data centres and industrial facilities that would otherwise be lost.

Accelerating the development of district heating is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and forms part of the Government’s wider ambition to future-proof Ireland’s built environment while delivering cleaner, more efficient and more secure energy solutions for communities across the country.

Welcoming the legislation, Minister Canney said: “This is an important step towards building a cleaner, more resilient and more secure energy future for Ireland.

“District heating has enormous potential to reduce emissions, make better use of energy that would otherwise go to waste and strengthen our long-term energy security. It also offers a more sustainable way of heating homes, businesses and public buildings while reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

“Putting the right regulatory framework in place will help unlock investment, accelerate new district heating projects and give consumers confidence that the sector is properly regulated.”

The legislation will give the Commission for Regulation of Utilities responsibility for regulating the sector, including licensing heat network operators, regulating tariffs, protecting vulnerable customers and ensuring clear customer service and complaints procedures are in place.

Government investment is already supporting the growth of district heating, including Ireland’s first operational network in Tallaght, which uses recovered waste heat from a data centre, and the development of the Dublin District Heating Project. Funding has also been allocated to support new projects through pre-construction and future infrastructure investment.

Minister Canney added: “This legislation lays the foundations for a modern heating system that is cleaner, more efficient and better for consumers. By making better use of renewable and recovered heat, we can lower emissions, improve energy resilience and help deliver a more sustainable future for communities across Ireland.”