A new set of guidelines has been published by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to support the delivery of decentralised energy schemes in the capital.
The 'District Heating Manual for London' provides practical guidance for developers, network designers and planners with the aim of creating a consistent framework for delivering efficient, interconnecting, district heating networks. It is also designed to help guide local planning authorities. The document, developed in collaboration with Arup, supports a range of initiatives provided by City Hall to promote the Mayor's target to achieve 25 per cent of London’s energy supply from decentralised energy sources by 2025.
London is experiencing a significant uplift in decentralised energy schemes with City Hall currently supporting the delivery of schemes valued at more than ££300m where the principles of the manual are being applied. This is helping to support a growth in the sector including jobs and infrastructure investment in the capital.
The manual, the first of its kind in the UK, is designed to be a 'live' document that will be updated and feedback is encouraged in time for the next revision to be published this summer. It can be downloaded here: >http://www.londonheatmap.org.uk/Content/Manual.aspx
Matthew Pencharz, the Mayor's environment advisor, said: 'We want district heat networks operating as part of a decentralised energy system become more common-place in London and there is already a significant uplift, supporting new jobs and economic growth. The Mayor is demanding ambitious targets in the capital to create a more resilient, localised and efficient energy supply. This will ensure we meet the twin challenges of cutting carbon and being fully prepared for the demands coming from London's predicted population boom. A cost effective and sustainable energy supply also underpins London's attractiveness for investors and businesses.'
Demand for electricity in the capital is expected to grow by up to four per cent a year over the next decade supporting a growing city. The Mayor is working to ensure that demand for electricity is met through a resilient, energy efficient network.
Initiatives from City Hall include the London Heat Map, an interactive tool that allows users to identify opportunities for decentralised energy projects in London and the provision of technical, financial and commercial support to develop and bring decentralised energy projects to market. The Decentralised Energy Project Delivery Unit was set up in 2011 to provide support using money from the Mayor and from the European Investment Bank’s ELENA facility.
The Mayor also recently convened an Electricity Summit last December bringing together senior representatives from the energy industry including Ofgem and UK Power Network, to plan for London's power needs.
Notes to editors
For information on the Mayor's decentralised energy programmes (non-media), please contact: [email protected].
For media enquiries please call Hilary Merrett at the Mayor’s Press Office on 020 7983 4755 or email [email protected]
For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000.