By Paul Homewood
h/t Paul Kolk
Just another billion!
The heat for the Westminster scheme will come from ‘innovative sources,’ such as the London Underground and the Thames.
A new £1 billion infrastructure project has been launched in Westminster to provide low carbon heating for some of London’s most famous buildings.
The heat network could serve landmark buildings like the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery, alongside buildings owned by Westminster City Council and the government.
Initiated by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Westminster Council, the scheme involves heat network developers Hemiko and Vital Energi that form the South Westminster Area Network (SWAN) Partnership.
Unveiled on Wednesday, the project will source low carbon heating from within the local area, including the river Thames, the London Underground and the sewer network.
“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. The SWAN project will be a crucial piece of our net zero carbon journey in Westminster, leading the way for others and showing what a positive clean energy future could look like,” said leader of Westminster City Council, Adam Hug.
The project is expected to create 500 jobs and save 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, improving air quality and boosting businesses.