A £1bn Milestone in Low-Carbon Infrastructure

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The Good News -

Marking a huge step forward for sustainable energy in the UK, The SWAN Partnership–a collaboration between Hemiko and Vital Energi–has joined forces with Westminster City Council and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to launch a groundbreaking £1 billion low-carbon heating network in Westminster.

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Project Background - 

This project showcases the potential of heat network zones, delivering affordable decarbonisation solutions at scale within cities. With recent infrastructure investment commitments in the Autumn Budget, projects like this are more critical than ever in building a sustainable future for all, and could potentially be rolled out to other UK cities soon.

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Quotes Relating to the Project -

“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, understanding the pressures and opportunities in the area, and figuring out how we can help, such as 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.” -

Toby Heysham, CEO of Hemiko and spokesperson for SWAN.

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“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.” - Cllr Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council

Technology Specifications - here’s what was put in place -

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Utilising local, innovative heat sources like the London Underground, Thames water, and even the sewer network, this project will supply reliable, affordable heat directly to Westminster’s buildings. Stretching from Victoria Station to Temple Underground Station, and bounded by St. James’ Park, this network will distribute heat via underground, insulated pipes filled with hot water—revolutionising how London heats its buildings.

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Main benefits:

• Provide low-carbon heating for iconic London buildings
• Reduce CO2 emissions by 75,000 tonnes each year
• Improve air quality by reducing 99% of nitrogen oxide emissions
• Deliver a 40% cost saving for customers compared to individual heat pumps
• Create 500 secure and well-paid new jobs and 100+ new business opportunities for UK companies

For further information on this article, please visit: https://hemiko.com/news/new-1bn-low-carbon-heating-infrastructure-project-unveiled-in-westminster/