High efficiency heating/cooling networks have a main role in economy decarbonisation. Evaluation of the potential for cogeneration district heating systems at regional level requires environmental, economic and regulatory analyses at different levels. This paper defines a top-down/bottom-up methodology for the analysis of potential cogeneration district heating systems at regional level as tool for supporting energy policies. It is based on the analysis at four levels for the regulatory framework, resources, infrastructures and demands: national, regional, municipality and district. As case study the methodology is applied to the analysis of cogeneration heating networks in the Spanish continental area. For the case study, cogeneration heating networks of small power (5MWe) were shown as the most interesting option with heat supply capacity for 1300-1400 houses. The application of the methodology to this region shows a potential for 589 new fully viable cogeneration district heating systems. It implies the installation of 3000 MW of high efficiency distributed power. For each single module annual savings above 0.5 Million euros are expected with market prices for gas and electricity. Results show the opportunity for an annual CO2 emissions savings above 4 Million of CO2 tons and a business generation above 3000 Million of euros. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.