The heating network will be “the first of its kind in London”, according to Southwark Council, and will mark the first time that the heating potential of the SELCHP facility has been fully realised since it was built in 1990s.
It represents an overall investment of £7 million and is forecast to be complete by the end of the year and will offer environmental improvements by allowing waste that cannot be recycled to provide low carbon heat to five estates in SE16.
The existing gas boilers on the five estates in Rotherhithe will be switched off resulting in a reduction of around 8,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per annum.
This scheme will run for 20 years, after which the council will decide whether to retain the scheme or revert back to the traditional supply of gas.
Since its inception, the SELCHP facility has generated electricity, which fed into the National Grid but until now, the extraction of heat, in the form of hot water that is created as part of the energy process, has not been possible. The facility processes around 430,000 tonnes of waste each year.
Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment, and recycling said: “As the first London borough to take such a positive step, we are signalling our strong commitment to the reduction of carbon emissions and keeping Southwark an environmentally friendly zone.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson, said:” Local heat and power supplies not only save Londoners money and reduce carbon emissions but also help to provide London with a more secure, sustainable, cost-effective energy supply.”