A joint venture between Hemiko and Vital Energi has been appointed to develop the UK’s largest heat network in Westminster
The joint venture, the South Westminster Area Network (SWAN) Partnership, has been appointed to fund, build, and operate the heat network.
To create the UK’s largest heat network, the Partnership will receive an investment of £100m in three years, £500m in 10 years, and £1bn by 2050.
Waste heat will be used to heat homes
The heat network will take heat from sources such as the London Underground, Thames, and London’s sewer network.
This heat will then be distributed through hot water within insulated underground pipes, which will span an area encompassing Victoria Station, Temple Underground Station, and St James’ Park. This could include landmark buildings such as the Houses of Parliament or the National Gallery.
The network’s creation is expected to create 500 jobs, save 75,000 tons of CO2 per year, improve local air quality, and create 100 business opportunities.
By 2050, every major town and city in the UK is expected to need to use heat networks to meet sustainability targets. Therefore, this heat network is expected to act as a flagship project.
The UK’s largest heat network will be a large step towards sustainability
Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for energy consumers at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 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 £5million funding.”
Toby Heysham, CEO of Hemiko and spokesperson for SWAN, said: “Using heat from the iconic River Thames and London Underground to heat some of the capital’s most famous buildings is a true story of pro-growth, circular economy in London.
“Heat networks are the next big utility in the UK, and we are investing £1bn over the next 6 years into networks that will allow local people and businesses to make use of locally wasted heat. We strive to embed ourselves in the local community, understand the pressures and opportunities in the area, and figure out how we can help, such as by bringing high-quality green jobs and supply chain opportunities.
“This network will be the flagship network in the UK, the first new zonal scale network in a market that offers an investment potential the size of the UK offshore wind industry. Steps like this show that the UK heat networks market is open for business.”
Nick Gosling, chief strategy officer of Vital Energi and spokesperson for SWAN, said: “Heat networks are the most cost-effective way to decarbonise our densely populated cities. The Government’s heat network zoning regulations, introduced last year as part of the Energy Act, have now created the right market conditions for private sector investment.
“By combining Hemiko’s investment capabilities with Vital Energi’s comprehensive expertise in designing, building, operating and owning energy infrastructure, the SWAN Partnership will deliver the first zonal scale heat network and demonstrate a model that other towns and cities will seek to replicate.”
