Greg Barker has announced 24 local authorities will get a share of the £2.1 million pot for the development of heat network projects.
According to the CIH:
Each project from the English and Welsh councils is designed to provide more efficient heating to homes and businesses in the area.
Heat networks supply heat from a central source directly to homes and businesses through a network of pipes carrying hot water. This means homes don’t have to generate their own heat on site.
Greg Barker, energy and climate change minister, said: ‘Local authorities are looking at innovative ways to supply low carbon heat to a range of buildings such as multi-storey apartments, office buildings and social housing.’
Since the first round of funding at the end of January 2014, more than 50 local authorities have received grants ranging from £15,000 to £250,000 each.
As part of the funding, councils are given commercial and technical support and guidance.
The remaining pot of grant funding, worth £7 million in total, will be allocated through subsequent funding rounds, running to March 2015.
Round 3 opens on 12 May 2014 and closes on 27 June 2014. The successful third round of local authorities will be announced by September.