The River Thames could play a vital role if London is to meet its net zero 2030 target, but what opportunities and challenges are associated with producing renewable energy from London’s main waterway?
Renewable energy, encompassing wind, solar heat source and tidal power, is one of four areas included under the Port of London Authority’s (PLA) definition of green technologies.[1]
Heat energy from rivers can potentially be used for water-source heat pumps. The Mayor’s preferred pathway to net zero will require 2.2 million operational heat pumps by 2030.[2]
Examples of water source heat pumps in London include Kingston Heights Flats, which opened in 2013 using water from the Thames,[3] and the Newington Estate in Southwark, which opened in 2022, using ground water source heat pumps that use water from underground aquifers, to keep 2,000 flats warm.[4]
The London Assembly Environment Committee will meet tomorrow for the second of two meetings investigating London’s waters, looking at how the Thames could be used to produce renewable energy for London, as well as a range of other topics including water quality, river emissions, and progress on the Tideway tunnel and towards a new Thames Barrier
The meeting will also include a short update on Solar Together London, with the Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy answering questions on the scheme, following a number of high profile issues with supplier Green Energy Together UK (GET UK).
Guests at the meeting include:
- Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy
- Cathryn Ross, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Thames Water
- Grace Rawnsley, Director for Sustainability and Net Zero Transition, Port of London Authority
- Charlotte Wood, London Area Director, Environment Agency
- Roger Bailey, Chief Technical Officer, Tideway
- Joe Pecorelli, Conservation Programme Manager, Zoological Society London (ZSL)
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 13 September from 2pm, in The Chamber, at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
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- Green Technologies on River Thames Structures (pla.co.uk)
- Date (london.gov.uk)
- Microsoft Word - Kingston Heights - Case Study 23042019 (heatpumpingtechnologies.org)
- Southwark is first in London to fit new, eco-friendly heating - Southwark Council
- Full agenda papers.
- Léonie Cooper AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Environment Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Tony Smyth in the Assembly Media Office on 07510 488715. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.