Combined heat (and) power (CHP) technology is capable of providing efficient, environmentally-friendly, electricity and heat supplies. Despite being thermodynamically attractive, in the UK CHP has languished in the past and so failed to penetrate the market rapidly because of a lack of leadership by successive Governments. A frustrating chronicle for CHP as well as community (i.e. district) heating (DH) in the UK is presented. However, recent developments and a possible future scenario concerning energy supplies in the UK will change matters. It is predicted that the contribution of CHP will grow significantly as the UK energy supply business becomes increasingly customer-driven.