Waste heat from London's Tube will help heat homes

London expects to begin heating some homes with waste heat captured from the London Underground and an electrical substation.

The project – the first of its kind in Europe – is a partnership between Islington Council, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, UK Power Networks and Transport for London.

Islington already heats more than 700 homes through its Bunhill Heat and Power heat network. Under the new plan, that network will be expanded to capture waste heat from a London Underground ventilation shaft and from a substation owned and operated by UK Power Networks.

“We need to do everything possible to create a more secure, cost-effective and sustainable heat and power supply for London,” said Matthew Pencharz, the mayor of London’s senior advisor on environment and energy. “By supporting locally sourced energy and heat networks which can reduce bills and lower carbon emissions, we can not only save money but also drive innovation, jobs and growth in this burgeoning sector.”

“The expanded Bunhill Heat Network will cut energy bills for hundreds more local people,” said Council leader Richard Watts. “With energy prices going up and up, it’s vital we do what we can to cut bills.  It’s all part of the council’s work to help people manage the rising cost of living. Last winter was one of the coldest for decades and record energy prices meant many families on fixed incomes spent it in misery, unsure whether to heat or eat.”