2. The track record: delivering clean heat
De-risk the project for the private sector
ALPHA
Section objective
To de-risk the project for the private sector by demonstrating the Council's history of managing capital, securing national funding, and successfully completing large-scale energy projects. It proves the Council is a "serious client" that understands the complexities of retrofit and heat infrastructure.
The value to stakeholders
Reduced financial risk: Contractors want to see that the Council has successfully managed major funds (SHDF, HUG, ECO) before. This gives them confidence that the project won't collapse due to poor financial management.
Political longevity and regulatory alignment: Showing alignment with national policy (like Heat Network Zoning) tells manufacturers that the local market is supported by national momentum. Highlighting local policy and projects also shows the project is a long-term priority, not a short-term whim, encouraging companies to invest in local supply chain or staff.
Internal expertise: Evidence of a dedicated energy team means the supply chain will be dealing with professionals who understand technical archetypes and have experience engaging residents on clean heat projects.
What to include in this section
The numbers: Quantify your history. How many homes? How many measures? (e.g., "Over 9,000 homes treated since 2013").
Specific funding streams: Name-drop the relevant funds you’ve successfully won and delivered (e.g. SHDF, HUG, LAD, ECO). This signals the council knows how to handle the "red tape" of government grants.
Policy foundation and innovation: List specific local planning policies or climate declarations that "lock in" the project’s long-term future, ensuring it won't be cancelled by a change in short-term priorities and showing the legal and political mandate for the work. Highlight participation in national pilots (e.g., Zoning or Heat Network funds). This shows the Council is a "first mover" and potentially a site for future government investment.
Infrastructure experience: Mention any physical heat network or energy projects already in the ground or in procurement to prove technical feasibility.
Example text
This box below includes a pre-written section that can be filled in with information relevant to your chosen area.
2. Our track record: Delivering clean heat in AREA
The ambition for the AREA/PROJECT NAME project is the next phase of a long-term commitment to decarbonising AREA’s housing stock and energy infrastructure. Over the past decade, COUNCIL NAME has successfully managed significant capital funding to deliver retrofit and clean energy projects, building the internal expertise and cross-sector partnerships required to scale these interventions city-wide.
2.1. Proven retrofit delivery at scale
Since START YEAR, COUNCIL NAME has consistently delivered large-scale energy efficiency and heating upgrades across various tenures, working toward the goal of all homes achieving an EPC RATING or higher. This work is supported by a history of successful funding bids and project management:
RELEVANT FUNDING STREAM (e.g., ECO): Between YEAR and YEAR, the Council facilitated over NUMBER measures across fuel-poor homes to improve thermal efficiency and heating systems.
RELEVANT FUNDING STREAM (e.g., SHDF): Building on the successful completion of PREVIOUS PHASE, the Council is currently delivering CURRENT PHASE, targeting NUMBER social homes with approximately NUMBER specific retrofit measures.
RELEVANT FUNDING STREAM (e.g., HUG): Through the management of multiple phases of LAD (Local Authority Delivery) and HUG funding, hundreds of low-income, privately-owned, and rented properties have received tailored energy improvements.
Legacy of delivery: This builds on over NUMBER years of experience, including previous scheme, which treated over NUMBER homes to improve health and energy outcomes.
2.2. Strategic heat network innovation and policy framework
The AREA/PROJECT NAME plan sits alongside COUNCIL NAME’s strategic energy planning and the Council’s YEAR/NAME OF CLIMATE DECLARATION. It is supported by the LOCAL POLICY/PLAN NAME, which provides the planning framework for high-energy performance and low-carbon heating.
Recent milestones in heat infrastructure include:
National Heat Network Zoning: COUNCIL NAME was selected as one of 28 cities for the DESNZ Heat Network Zoning Pilot (2023–2025), positioning the city at the forefront of national heat policy and regulation.
Next-generation networks: Through the PREVIOUS PROJECTS (TIMEFRAME), the Council has implemented high-efficiency, low-temperature network innovations.
Capital infrastructure: Having secured SPECIFIC GRANT/FUND support for the local heat networks, the Council is now in the process of procuring a city-wide PROCUREMENT/PARTNERSHIP GOAL.
The evidence base and delivery experience gained from these projects provide the technical and operational foundation for the transition of the NUMBER properties identified in this plan.
The example from Plymouth
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