Heat network continuity plan: what it must include
A continuity plan sets out how your heat network would carry on if your organisation stopped running it, so residents keep their heating and hot water. Ofgem requires one, and asks you to confirm every year that it is in place and up to date.
Last checked against official sources: 5 October 2026
When it's needed
Ofgem's financial resilience guidance says authorised persons must have a continuity plan in place from the end of the first part of the initial period. You confirm it is in place when you register. After that, Ofgem requires an annual confirmation that the plan is in place and kept up to date.
What it must include
Ofgem sets minimum contents. Every operator and supplier needs:
- Details of key staff, including names, roles, responsibilities and contact details.
- Details of arrangements with third-party service providers, with key contacts.
- Details of where the data relevant to the plan is stored.
- How the data is kept up to date.
- How information and customer data would be handed over.
- Details of key contracts.
Suppliers also need:
- Billing service information.
- Priority Services Register details.
- A breakdown of customer numbers.
- Customer payment information by payment method.
- How you would gather customer debt information, including the number of customers in debt and the value of the debt.
- How you would gather customer account balances.
Operators also need details of the key physical assets, with a signpost to the material asset register.
A plan a small block can write
- List the people: directors, the regulatory contact, and your managing agent's contact.
- List the contractors: maintenance, the 24-hour emergency contact, billing and any energy services company.
- Say where the records are kept and who can get to them.
- Say how you keep the information current, for example a check at each board meeting.
- Describe how you'd hand over customer data to a successor, sharing only what is needed to continue supply.
- Summarise fuel buying, billing and payment methods, and how you'd produce a list of debts and balances.
- Point to your material asset register for equipment and contracts.
- Adopt it at a board meeting, then diary the yearly review and confirmation.
Money collected for repairs
Ofgem says that where a supplier collects funds from customers for maintenance, repair or replacement of the heat network, the money must remain available for that purpose. Where a network is sold or transferred, Ofgem expects it to remain available to a successor. Mention your reserve or sinking fund arrangements in the plan.
Questions
- Do we need a consultant to write a continuity plan?
- Not necessarily. For a single block it is mainly a structured record of people, contractors, data, contracts and assets. Get advice if your arrangements are complex.
- How often should we update it?
- Whenever something significant changes, such as a new contractor or director, and at least once a year before you confirm it to Ofgem.
- Does the plan need to be sent to Ofgem?
- Ofgem asks for confirmation that it is in place and up to date. Keep the plan itself ready in case Ofgem asks to see it.
Sources
Related guides
Heat network material asset register: what to record
What Ofgem says a heat network material asset register must record, for equipment and contracts, and how often to review and update it.
Heat network financial resilience reporting
The financial resilience data Ofgem asks heat network operators and suppliers for, when it's due each year, and the ring-fencing of maintenance funds.
Heat network Priority Services Register: a guide for blocks of flats
Heat suppliers must keep a Priority Services Register and offer free priority services. Who it's for, what to offer and how to keep residents' details safe.