Policy information sourced from Enfield Development Managament Document (DMD)

DMD 52 Decentralised Energy Networks

Proposals for the development of decentralised energy network infrastructure and related apparatus in the borough will be supported. The Council will support, and in some cases facilitate, the provision of infrastructure to support new and expanding networks including safeguarding routes and land for such use where necessary.

Proposals for major developments which produce heat and/or energy should contribute to the supply of decentralised energy networks unless it can be demonstrated that this is not technically feasible or economically viable.

Connection to a decentralised energy network

All major developments should connect to or contribute towards existing or planned DE networks supplied by low or zero carbon energy:

  • Where the proposed development is adjacent to an existing DE network, it should:
    • Secure the direct connection of all units to that network; and
    • Contribute as necessary to the increased capacity of the DE network to support such connection.
  • Where there is an existing DE network that requires extension in order to supply the proposed development, proposed developments should:
    • Contribute to such extension;
    • Secure the direct connection of all units to the extended network; and
    • Contribute as necessary to the increased capacity of the DE network to support such connection.
  • Where there is a planned DE network within feasible and viable range of future connection, proposed developments should:
    • Commit to connect to the DE network;
    • Incorporate site-wide and/or communal heating systems;
    • Provide sufficient space for on-site energy centres or plant rooms to accommodate DE connection equipment such as pipes, heat exchangers and pumps etc;
    • Locate the energy centre or plant room to ensure the shortest connection distance to the future network, having regard to the requirements of the network as a whole;
    • Maximise the layout, density and mix of development to support identified DE opportunities;
    • Provide pipe connections as appropriate to the site boundary or safeguard an identified route within the site for future DE connection infrastructure; and
    • Where the planned DE network requires extension to supply the proposed development, proposed developments should contribute to such extension.
  • Where there is no connection available to a decentralised energy network and no DE network is planned within range, on-site CCHP or CHP will be expected where the heating demand makes it feasible.
  • Where CCHP or CHP would not be technically feasible or financially viable, developments will be required to be designed to enable its connection to a decentralised energy network in the future, or provide a contribution for the expansion of decentralised energy networks, or other carbon reduction measures within the borough, where reasonable and appropriate.
  • Where technically feasible, buildings with high cooling loads that are connected to a DE network should be designed to meet their cooling demand through heat-fed absorption chilling.

This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy Policy 20.

For more information please see the Development Managament Document (DMD)