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  • Contaminated Land & Remediation
  • Ecology & Biodiversity
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
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  • Net Zero Strategy & Climate Transition Plans
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  • Net Zero and Decarbonisation Training

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Heat Decarbonisation Plans (HDPs)
Home | Services | Public Sector Decarbonisation Solutions | Heat Decarbonisation Plans (HDPs)

Heat Decarbonisation Plans (HDPs)

Strategic Roadmaps for Low-Carbon Heating in Public Sector Estates

View All Public Sector Decarbonisation Solutions Services
Heat Decarbonisation with Impact

Heat Decarbonisation with Impact

Heating is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions in public buildings. Transitioning away from fossil fuel-based systems is essential to achieving net zero targets, but it requires careful planning, technical insight, and alignment with funding criteria.

 
Arthian’s Heat Decarbonisation Plans (HDPs) provide public sector organisations with clear, evidence-based strategies for reducing heating-related emissions. Whether you’re applying for Salix funding or developing a long-term energy strategy, our HDPs are designed to guide decision-making and support delivery.

 
We’ve supported over 100 public sector bodies with decarbonisation planning and are trusted by government and Salix to act as technical advisors nationally. Our HDPs are developed to meet the requirements of funding bodies, and we can support delivery across all RIBA Stages.

What Is a Heat Decarbonisation Plan?

A Heat Decarbonisation Plan is a structured document that outlines how a building or estate can transition to low-carbon heating. It includes technical assessments, feasibility studies, cost modelling, and implementation pathways.

Our HDPs are designed to be practical, fundable, and deliverable, providing a clear roadmap from concept to implementation. We understand the unique challenges of public sector estates, including:

Ageing infrastructure and legacy systems

Budget constraints and funding cycles

Operational continuity and service delivery

Stakeholder engagement and governance

Our Services:

Our heat decarbonisation plans typically include:

Site-level heat demand analysis and system review
Assessment of low-carbon technologies
Phased implementation strategy and carbon impact forecasting
Budget-level costings and funding alignment
Support Up to RIBA Stage 4+

Site-level heat demand analysis and system review

We begin each heat decarbonisation plan with a detailedĀ analysis of heat demand across your site, combined with a review ofĀ existing heating systems and controls. This helps us understand current performance, identify inefficiencies, and uncover opportunities for improvement. By building a clear picture of how heat is generated, distributed, and used, we lay the foundation for practical, cost-effective decarbonisation strategies.
 

Key steps include:


     

  • Mapping heat demandĀ across buildings, processes, and operational zones
  • Reviewing existing heating systems, including boilers, controls, and distribution networks
  • Identifying performance gapsĀ and areas of excessive energy use
  • Highlighting opportunitiesĀ for system upgrades, optimisation, and low-carbon alternatives

Assessment of low-carbon technologies

We evaluate a range of low-carbon heating solutions tailored to your site’s needs, constraints, and energy goals. Technologies such as heat pumps, district heating, and solar thermal are assessed for technical feasibility, carbon savings, and integration with existing systems.Ā  helping you make confident, future-ready decisions.
 

Key considerations include:


     

  • Suitability of heat pumps (air, ground, or water-source) based on site layout and demand
  • Opportunities to connect to or develop district heating networks
  • Potential for solar thermal systems and integration with hot water demand
  • Hybrid options to support phased decarbonisation
  • Estimated performance, carbon impact, and return on investment

Phased implementation strategy and carbon impact forecasting

We develop a practical, phased roadmap for heat decarbonisation, tailored to your site’s priorities and constraints. Each stage is supported by carbon impact forecasts, helping you track progress, demonstrate impact, and stay aligned with your sustainability targets.
 

Our strategy includes:


     

  • Structuring decarbonisation into manageable phases for delivery and investment
  • Aligning actions with operational needs, funding windows, and compliance timelines
  • Forecasting carbon savings to support reporting and decision-making
  • Identifying quick wins alongside longer-term infrastructure upgrades

Budget-level costings and funding alignment

Each plan includes indicative costings and identifies potential funding routes, ensuring financial viability and alignment with relevant grant or incentive schemes. We help you understand the scale of investment required and explore opportunities to reduce upfront costs through external support.
 

This includes:


     

  • Providing budget-level estimates for recommended measures
  • Highlighting relevant funding schemes, grants, and incentives
  • Aligning investment plans with funding timelines and criteria
  • Supporting business case development for internal approval or external bids

Support Up to RIBA Stage 4+

Arthian can support HDP development through all the RIBA stages from concept to handover. We support the design stage RIBA Stage 4, including:


     

  • Technical design and specification
  • Performance requirements and compliance
  • Procurement and contractor engagement
  • Tendering and project management
  • Integration with wider retrofit and energy strategies


 

This ensures your HDP is not just a strategic document, but a foundation for real-world delivery.

Site-level heat demand analysis and system review

We begin each heat decarbonisation plan with a detailedĀ analysis of heat demand across your site, combined with a review ofĀ existing heating systems and controls. This helps us understand current performance, identify inefficiencies, and uncover opportunities for improvement. By building a clear picture of how heat is generated, distributed, and used, we lay the foundation for practical, cost-effective decarbonisation strategies.
 

Key steps include:


     

  • Mapping heat demandĀ across buildings, processes, and operational zones
  • Reviewing existing heating systems, including boilers, controls, and distribution networks
  • Identifying performance gapsĀ and areas of excessive energy use
  • Highlighting opportunitiesĀ for system upgrades, optimisation, and low-carbon alternatives

Assessment of low-carbon technologies

We evaluate a range of low-carbon heating solutions tailored to your site’s needs, constraints, and energy goals. Technologies such as heat pumps, district heating, and solar thermal are assessed for technical feasibility, carbon savings, and integration with existing systems.Ā  helping you make confident, future-ready decisions.
 

Key considerations include:


     

  • Suitability of heat pumps (air, ground, or water-source) based on site layout and demand
  • Opportunities to connect to or develop district heating networks
  • Potential for solar thermal systems and integration with hot water demand
  • Hybrid options to support phased decarbonisation
  • Estimated performance, carbon impact, and return on investment

Phased implementation strategy and carbon impact forecasting

We develop a practical, phased roadmap for heat decarbonisation, tailored to your site’s priorities and constraints. Each stage is supported by carbon impact forecasts, helping you track progress, demonstrate impact, and stay aligned with your sustainability targets.
 

Our strategy includes:


     

  • Structuring decarbonisation into manageable phases for delivery and investment
  • Aligning actions with operational needs, funding windows, and compliance timelines
  • Forecasting carbon savings to support reporting and decision-making
  • Identifying quick wins alongside longer-term infrastructure upgrades

Budget-level costings and funding alignment

Each plan includes indicative costings and identifies potential funding routes, ensuring financial viability and alignment with relevant grant or incentive schemes. We help you understand the scale of investment required and explore opportunities to reduce upfront costs through external support.
 

This includes:


     

  • Providing budget-level estimates for recommended measures
  • Highlighting relevant funding schemes, grants, and incentives
  • Aligning investment plans with funding timelines and criteria
  • Supporting business case development for internal approval or external bids

Support Up to RIBA Stage 4+

Arthian can support HDP development through all the RIBA stages from concept to handover. We support the design stage RIBA Stage 4, including:


     

  • Technical design and specification
  • Performance requirements and compliance
  • Procurement and contractor engagement
  • Tendering and project management
  • Integration with wider retrofit and energy strategies


 

This ensures your HDP is not just a strategic document, but a foundation for real-world delivery.

wind energy assessments

Why Choose Arthian's Energy team?

Integration

Fully integrated with geotechnical, hydrological, and ecological disciplines.

Our Experience

National experience with regional insight and regulatory familiarity.

Our Understanding

Deep understanding of planning, infrastructure, and environmental interfaces.

Results Driven

Commitment to technical rigour, clear communication, and long-term outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of buildings can HDPs cover?

We develop HDPs for a wide range of public buildings, including schools, hospitals, council depots, offices, leisure centres, libraries, community sites and heritage sites.

Can HDPs support Salix funding applications?

Yes. Our HDPs are aligned to comply with funding guidance and include the technical and financial detail required to support funding bids.

What is RIBA Stage 4 and why is it important?

RIBA Stage 4 includes technical design and specification, enabling projects to move from planning to procurement and delivery. It’s essential for securing funding and progressing works.

Do you include cost modelling and carbon savings?

Absolutely. Each HDP includes budget-level costings, carbon impact forecasts, and payback modelling to support strategic decision-making.

Can you help implement the HDP once it’s complete?

Yes. We offer detailed design, tender support, and project management services to take your HDP from strategy to delivery and handover.

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you – whether you have a question, a project in mind, want to explore job opportunities, or just want to say hello.

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