Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS): Shadow Training Provider Brief

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) wishes to establish a Contract for services to develop, accredit and deliver a suite of training courses underpinning the Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS). Upcoming regulation is due to mandate certain technical requirements for heat networks, under HNTAS. These requirements will span across several elements of a network (i.e. energy centre, district distribution network, communal distribution network, thermal substation, and consumer connection), and will also apply temporally across a range of stages within a network’s lifecycle (i.e. feasibility, design, commissioning and operation and maintenance). The introduction of these requirements will apply to both new build and existing networks, and introduce the need for the vast majority of existing networks to undertake works to meet performance and reliability thresholds. As such, we know that there will be increased demand for existing heat network skills, as well as an emergent demand for new roles that will be introduced by regulation. Most of the new roles (e.g. HNTAS assessors, HNTAS coordinators, etc) will result from the new regulatory obligations to track the compliance of networks with technical standards through HNTAS. We are looking for a supplier, or consortium of suppliers with experience of accrediting and delivering heat network training. This will involve developing and accrediting approximately 10 HNTAS training courses by the end of March 2025, and delivering them into Autumn 2025.