“Taking waste heat from the River Thames and London Underground to heat such iconic places as the Houses of Parliament and the National Gallery is a really exciting example of what lies ahead on our journey to low-cost, low-carbon heating. 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 £5million funding.”
Businesses are being encouraged to register their interest in joining the network, by emailing [email protected]. First movers are needed to unlock this least cost decarbonisation pathway and the jobs that come with it, for the benefit of everyone in Westminster. The more who join up, the cheaper it is for everyone.
From start to finish, it took just 4 months from launching the competitive process to signing the contract for SWAN and beginning the development work, five times faster than most procurement exercises run to date.
This new procurement approach for heat networks is expected to speed up the delivery of heat networks, to decarbonise the UK faster, and create a more investable heat networks market. This model, and variations of it, is expected to be replicated by at least 7 projects across the country within the next year alone, with more thereafter.
Construction of SWAN is due to start in 2026.
For the buildings identified on this map, connecting to SWAN should be the most cost-effective way to decarbonise heating, according to the Energy Department's National Zoning Model.