The UK government has allocated £90 million to support low-carbon heat network projects, including £41 million for the London Strategic Heat Main. This project will use tunnels under the River Thames to transport hot water to 650,000 homes, with construction targeted for 2028 and heat supply from 2032. The initial phase will run from Belvedere to Westminster, crossing seven boroughs, and is expected to unlock around £5 billion in investment for London's heat networks. Beyond the London project, funding will extend existing networks in Bradford and Solihull, and support upgrades to inefficient systems across England and Wales. The government says these projects will reduce household bills and create more than 2,000 jobs. The article also notes that the scheme will initially use electric barges to move hot water before the tunnels are operational.
