A new £1 billion heat network is set to bring low-carbon heating to several iconic London landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street, in a significant effort to cut carbon emissions and improve air quality. The initiative, driven by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Westminster Council, will utilize innovative heat sources such as waste heat from the River Thames and the London Underground.

The South Westminster Area Network (Swan) Partnership, which includes heat network developers Hemiko and Vital Energi, is behind the project. The system will deliver heat via a network of underground pipes, transferring energy from sources like the Thames or the Underground to existing heating systems, preserving the appearance of listed buildings while improving their energy efficiency. Heat may even be transported through "heat barges" that carry thermal energy from nearby power stations.

DESNZ Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh remarked on the initiative’s significance:

“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 £5 million funding.”

The Swan Partnership plans an initial £100 million investment over the next three years, with the ambition to reach £1 billion by 2050. Covering central Westminster, the network will extend from Pimlico to Temple, bringing low-carbon heating to landmarks like Tate Britain and Somerset House.

Toby Heysham, CEO of Hemiko, noted the network’s integration into the city’s architecture:

“Londoners and tourists alike will continue to be able to enjoy the beauty of London’s iconic buildings – they’ll simply be decarbonised buildings, but you won’t be able to tell the difference from the outside.”

By 2050, the network is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 75,000 tonnes annually, create 500 new jobs, and improve air quality by removing emissions from gas boilers. Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, emphasized the importance of using local, sustainable heat sources:

“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.”

With construction slated to begin in 2026, this heat network represents a major step toward a sustainable, net-zero future for Westminster and an ambitious model for urban clean energy solutions.