Heating is a hugely important sector in Ireland when it comes to decarbonisation as it represents approximately 40% of energy demand (twice the demand of electricity) and is the worst performing sector in terms of renewable proportion (currently at 6.3% of total heat production) behind both electricity and transport.

The district heating networks potential to enable greater uptake of renewable and waste heat sources is shown in the figure below, where there is a strong correlation between DH and renewable heat proportions. This relationship is now being recognised in national heat policy.