Westminster Heat Network to Save 75,000 Tonnes of CO2 Annually

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12 November 2024

A new low-carbon infrastructure project will power the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery.

The South Westminster Area Network (SWAN) will be one of the UK’s first heat network zones where it will be more cost-effective for buildings to be part of that network rather than having their own air source heat pump.

Heat networks are a collection of underground pipes that deliver low-carbon heat and energy across an area.  Heat networks draw their heat from many different sources – from the river to sewers to underground geothermal. By 2050, every major town and city is expected to need district heat networks, requiring over £100 billion of private investment and 290k new jobs in total.  On average, heat networks are 40 per cent cheaper for customers than building-level heat pumps.   

The heat will come from the London Underground, the Thames, and the sewer network. It will then be distributed via a zone stretching around Victoria Station, up to Temple Underground Station near the Strand, bounded by St James’ Park. 

Picture: a map of London showing the exact location of the proposed heat network. Image Credit: SWAN Partnership

It’s predicted that over time, this network 75,000 tonnes of CO2 every year, (equivalent to removing 40,000 cars from the road), create 500 jobs, and improve local air quality by reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by 99 per cent. 

The network will be delivered by the SWAN Partnership, a joint venture between Hemiko and Vital Energi. Construction is due to start in 2026. 

Cllr Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council, said: “It is fantastic to see that the South Westminster Area Network (SWAN) has taken this critical step forward. The council has been actively supporting the Government through the early stages of this pioneering network and will now take on a principal role to ensure that the project delivers the best outcomes for our residents and businesses.  

“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. 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.” 

Picture: a photograph showing the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben in London, captured from across the River Thames. Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 12 November 2024

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