Heat network in Suffolk becomes one of first to register with Ofgem

10 September 2026

A community heat network serving new homes in Sudbury, Suffolk, has become one of the first in the UK to be registered under Ofgem’s new regulatory framework for heat networks.

The Chilton Woods Community Heat Hub is operated by Metropolitan, a sister company of infrastructure provider GTC, which designed and delivered the system.

The network supplies heating and hot water to homes at Taylor Wimpey’s Westland Heath development. It uses large air source heat pumps and thermal energy storage, with heat distributed through an underground network. The system is designed to cut carbon emissions by up to 80% compared with traditional gas heating.

Ofgem began regulating heat networks under a new framework intended to strengthen protections for customers. Operators and suppliers are required to register their networks, with existing operators facing a deadline of January 2027.

Andrew White, managing director of Metropolitan, says:

“Being among the first organisations to successfully register a heat network with Ofgem is an important milestone for Metropolitan and GTC. We have worked proactively with Ofgem throughout the development of the new regulatory framework, providing feedback during the registration process and helping shape the practical implementation of the new regime. ”

Taylor Wimpey was the first developer to work with GTC and Metropolitan on a community heat network at a traditional residential development, according to the companies.

Stephen Andrew, group technical director at Taylor Wimpey, comments:

“Community Heat Hubs have the potential to play a role as we continue to develop our homes of the future and move away from gas central heating and hot water systems.”

The Chilton Woods project is the main deployment of GTC’s Community Heat Hub model, which is designed as an alternative to individual heating systems in low-rise housing developments. Unlike homes with their own heat pumps, the system generates heat centrally and distributes it to properties. This removes the need for individual boilers, external heat pumps and hot water cylinders in homes.

Metropolitan took part in Ofgem’s private beta programme for heat network registration and has also provided feedback on the regulatory framework through discussions with the regulator and the Heat Network Regulation Advisory Board.

Image credit: GTC