Powering the FHS transition: Kensa expands drilling capacity to meet growing order momentum

With the Future Homes Standard (FHS) setting a clear direction of travel away from fossil-fuel heating, the UK’s leading housebuilders are actively making the transition to low carbon technologies. However, for many developers, moving away from gas brings a new set of commercial challenges, most notably, electrical grid capacity bottlenecks. To meet the soaring demand for grid-friendly, FHS-compliant heating, Kensa is leading from the front and investing heavily in the operational infrastructure needed to keep pace with the market.

Investment into Scaling Drilling Services

Kensa has taken delivery of its latest high efficiency drilling rig and supporting equipment from GTD Desco UK, following final testing, commissioning, and handover in July. The new additions are already on site delivering for a major housing development. The new package includes:

• GTD GT35 Geothermal Drill Rig
• TC24 Tracked Mud Recycling System

Together, this equipment creates one of the most productive and advanced geothermal drilling setups operating in the UK today.

By upgrading our equipment and expanding our fleet of rigs, with additional rigs already in production and further deliveries planned for later this year, Kensa is directly increasing its on-site installation speed, reliability, and drilling productivity. For housebuilders, this translates to faster ground array completion, reduced noise and impact on site, and reliable project timelines.

Driven by positive market momentum

This operational expansion is a direct response to growing demand for Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps across the UK housebuilding sector.

Through New Build DevelopmentsHousing DevelopmentsKensa's partnership with GTC, the UK’s leading multi-utility provider, developers are rapidly adopting Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps as the default alternative to traditional gas networks and air source heat pumps.

The momentum is evident:

• Contracts secured with the UK’s top five housebuilders.
• Flagship Developments: Selected by Barratt Redrow for Cosmeston Farm in Penarth, the UK’s largest net zero carbon housing scheme.

This surge in demand gives Kensa the certainty to scale our drilling services, invest in British manufacturing in Cornwall, and continuously upgrade our operational capacity nationwide.

Why housebuilders are choosing the Kensa and GTC model

As housebuilders prepare for upcoming regulatory milestones, the joint Kensa and GTC proposition offers a simple, low risk route to compliance that protects both site margins and build schedules:

• Bypassing Grid Bottlenecks - Networked ground source heat pumps draw stable heat from the earth, using Element Energy – Low Carbon Heat StudyPress Releaseapproximately 40% less peak electricity in winter than air source heat pumps. This keeps electrical loads similar to gas heated homes, unlocking sites that would otherwise face costly substation upgrades or delays.
• Simplified Multi-Utility Delivery - Delivered through GTC as part of a single, coordinated multi-utility package, our solution eliminates procurement infrastructure complexity.
• Competitive Capital Expenditure - Keeps upfront site infrastructure costs the same or lower than installing individual air source heat pump units, while offering optional passive cooling capabilities.
• Lifetime Homeowner Value - Offers homebuyers lower, more predictable energy bills, alongside complete peace of mind with long-term servicing, maintenance, and replacement bundled in.

Building for the future

Pairing Kensa’s expanding in-house drilling capacity with GTC’s multi-utility expertise, we are ensuring that housebuilders have the tools required to build low carbon homes efficiently and at scale.

Planning an upcoming development? Contact our technical sales team to explore Kensa and GTC's new build development solution and learn how ground source offers a cost-effective route to FHS compliance.