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A £1 billion heat network initiative has been launched in Westminster to deliver low-carbon heating to some of London's most iconic buildings. This ambitious scheme aims to tap into unique heat sources, such as the London Underground, the River Thames, and even "heat barges" transporting thermal energy from nearby power stations stored in thermal batteries.
Planned heat pipes will weave through Westminster, enabling landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, and the National Gallery to adopt low-carbon heating without altering their historic exteriors. As one of the UK's designated heat network zones, Westminster's heat network offers a centralized, cost-effective alternative to individual heat pumps for each building, helping to cut emissions on a broader scale.
The project, launched by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in partnership with Westminster Council, will be executed by the South Westminster Area Network (Swan) Partnership. Led by developers Hemiko and Vital Energi, the Swan Partnership has pledged investments of £100 million within three years, scaling to £500 million by 2033 and £1 billion by 2050, aiming to establish one of the largest heat networks in the UK.
This network, connecting various landmarks from Tate Britain to Somerset House, will bring low-carbon heating via underground pipes. It will provide waste heat from the Thames and nearby areas through heat exchangers directly into existing building systems. The heat network will eliminate the need for external heat pumps on historical buildings by linking these systems.
"This project will help support hundreds of jobs and make bold new strides towards boosting our energy security."
Miatta Fahnbulleh, DESNZ
Construction is set to begin in 2026, focusing on laying pipes through side streets to minimize disruption. Over time, this initiative is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75,000 tonnes annually, generate 500 new jobs, and improve local air quality by reducing nitrogen oxide emissions typically associated with gas boilers. Toby Heysham, CEO of Hemiko, emphasized that connecting buildings to a centralized heat source allows historic Westminster to decarbonize without visible alterations, preserving its architectural heritage.
Toby Heysham, chief executive of Hemiko, said that as heat networks connect buildings with heat waste suppliers via underground insulated pipes, there is no need for heat pumps on the top or side of buildings—another option for decarbonising heating—which is important in historic Westminster.
"Londoners and tourists alike will continue to be able to enjoy the beauty of London's iconic buildings – they'll simply be decarbonised buildings, but you won't be able to tell the difference from the outside.
"It will also remove the need for gas flues on every building. These gas flues are harmful to local people's health. Buildings that swap to the heat network will be helping to improve local air quality," he said.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for energy consumers at DESNZ, said: "Taking waste heat from the River Thames and London Underground to heat such iconic places as the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery is a really exciting example of what lies ahead on our journey to low-cost, low-carbon heating.
"This project will help support hundreds of jobs and make bold new strides towards boosting our energy security as one of seven heat network zones we're backing with over £5 million funding."
Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, said the scheme would be crucial to the city's journey to net zero carbon and would demonstrate what a positive clean energy future could look like.
"We know that the gas used to heat and power buildings is one of the biggest contributors to both carbon emissions and air pollution in Westminster.
"However, these new low-carbon district heat networks will tap into local waste heat sources, delivering clean and affordable energy to those who need it most," he said.