UK District Heating Mentoring Programme 2025

District heating (DH) is a key component of the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy, but many local authorities struggle to move from planning to implementation. The UK-Danish District Heating Mentoring Programme 2025 bridges this gap by offering structured mentorship, expert guidance, and international knowledge-sharing, helping local authorities deliver successful, investment-ready heat networks.

Led by the Scottish Government (SG), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Danish Board of District Heating (DBDH), the Royal Danish Embassy in London, and the UK Government’s, this 12-month programme builds on several previous mentoring initiatives since 2020, leveraging the knowledge and experience from Danish DH experts. The mentor program has provided guidance to several newly established DH projects, e.g. Gateshead and Queens Quay in West Dunbartonshire.

Programme Structure Supporting Six Mentoring Groups

The 2025 program consists of six mentoring groups, with three in Scotland and three in England. Each group includes 7-10 local authorities, paired with experienced Danish district heating mentors who are managers of a DH company or heat planners for local authorities and will provide structured support and tailored guidance. Through a combination of group mentoring, individual advisory meetings, and knowledge-sharing events, participating local authorities gain the insights and confidence needed to progress their district heating projects from early-stage planning to investment readiness.

Through a structured mentoring process, participants will gain:

• Tailored technical, financial, and strategic guidance based on their specific project needs.
• Hands-on capacity building through real-world case studies and direct mentor-mentee interactions.
• Confidence in developing and delivering heat networks by addressing challenges in planning, stakeholder engagement, and investment decisions.
• Stronger collaboration between UK local authorities and Danish district heating experts, fostering long-term partnerships.

This combination of group mentoring and individual support ensures that each local authority receives practical, actionable advice to accelerate the development of heat networks at pace.

Key Activities: From Knowledge Sharing to Real-World Implementation

The English/Scottish-Danish District Heating Mentoring Programme 2025 is structured around five core activities, each designed to provide targeted support for local authorities. These activities will focus on the most pressing challenges in heat network development, including governance models, investment planning, and technical considerations.

• Group Mentoring Sessions – Each mentoring group will take part in five structured sessions, including three virtual meetings and two full-day, in-person workshops in Scotland and England.
• One-to-One Mentoring & Advisory Support – In addition to group mentoring, local authorities will have access to personalized support from their assigned Danish mentors. Up to 25 individual advisory meetings are expected throughout the year, providing in-depth guidance on specific project challenges.
• Thematic Webinars on Key District Heating Topics – Six online events will cover critical themes such as collaboration with the zoning, NHS, financial planning, and digitalization in district heating. These webinars will bring together experts from Denmark and the UK to share best practices and discuss emerging trends.
• Study Trip to Denmark – A two-day learning visit will allow up to 50 participants to experience Danish district heating systems firsthand. Visits to Danish municipalities, district heating companies, and energy cooperatives will showcase successful heat network models and demonstrate how projects can be structured for long-term success.
• UK-Wide End-of-Year Meeting for Knowledge Sharing – At the end of the programme, a two-day DH bonanza will bring together Scottish, English, and Danish participants to reflect on lessons learned, discuss future collaborations, and strengthen professional networks. This final engagement will feature site visits, interactive discussions, and case studies from successful district heating projects.

Delivering Impact: Strengthening the Future of UK Heat Networks

The English/Scottish-Danish District Heating Mentoring Programme 2025 plays a crucial role in helping local authorities transition from concept to implementation. By providing structured mentorship and real-world case studies, the programme equips participants with the technical knowledge, strategic insights, and confidence to develop viable, investment-ready heat networks. The collaboration between Scottish, English, and Danish stakeholders fosters long-term partnerships that will accelerate the rollout of district heating across the UK.

Beyond direct mentoring, the programme’s impact extends to wider knowledge dissemination. The lessons learned in Scotland and England will be shared across municipalities, industry partners, and government agencies, helping to build a stronger foundation for future heat network expansion. With district heating playing a key role in achieving net-zero targets, initiatives like the UK mentor program provide the expertise and international collaboration necessary to drive meaningful progress.