A new £1bn low-carbon infrastructure project has been launched in Westminster and is set to become one of the UK’s first ‘heat network zones’.

The heat network will supply low carbon heating, sourced from within the local area. The heat will need to come from innovative sources such as the London Underground, the Thames, and the sewer network. It might even be brought down the river on barges.

One of the core benefits of heat networks, is the ability to harness waste heat from within the local area and make use of it. This makes them low carbon, efficient and resilient, not relying on imported fuel.

Heat will then be distributed via a network of underground, insulated pipes filled with hot water. The zone will stretch from around Victoria Station, up to Temple Underground Station near the Strand, bounded by St James’ Park.

Over time, the project is expected to save 75,000 tonnes of CO2 every year and improve local air quality by reducing nitrogen oxides emissions by 99 per cent.

The South Westminster Area Network (SWAN) was created by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Westminster City Council. To deliver the network, they have brought in the SWAN Partnership, a joint venture between Hemiko and Vital Energi.

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