Energy firm reveals £4m project to install one of UK's largest heating systems

A London energy firm has announced that it is starting work on a £4m project to install one of the country’s largest heating and cooling systems.

E.ON has today revealed the start of a project to install a heat pump at its Citigen energy centre of London, which will draw heat from the natural warmth of the earth.

The new project will also recycle waste heat from power generation which would otherwise vent into the atmosphere.

The company has said that the project will cut the carbon emissions associated with heating and cooling by up to 50 per cent and will help to improve local air quality.

Michael Lewis, CEO of E.ON UK, commented: “Tackling the environmental impact of heating, especially in densely populated areas, will be key to meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero targets.

“Part of that challenge means re-imagining how energy is provided to homes, businesses and cities.

“In taking the next step and installing heat pump and geothermal technology at Citigen we’re making a powerful statement of what can be done to reduce carbon usage on a large scale.

“The Citigen building itself has a long and storied history, and our £4m investment in a zero carbon heating and cooling system gives it an exciting new chapter and makes sure it’s fit to support the capital’s cleaner future.”

Lord Callanan, energy minister, said: “Heating in buildings forms a significant part of the UK’s carbon footprint, so changing how we warm and cool our homes and workspaces is a vital part of eradicating our contribution to climate change by 2050.

“Heat networks offer an effective way of reducing carbon emissions while bringing down costs to consumers.

“E.ON’s project is a commercial vote of confidence in heat networks and heat pumps, meaning homes and businesses across the City of London will benefit from clean heat and is another great example of how the pace of rolling out cutting-edge low-carbon technologies is being accelerated across the UK.”