E.ON and an Australian real estate developer have inked a deal to build a low-carbon energy network for more than 6,000 new homes and business properties in London.
The energy giant has struck the deal with Lendlease to build the system at the multi-millioin pound Silvertown development at the Royal Docks in Newham, east London.
The site will mark the first use of E.ON’s “ectogrid system”, an energy-sharing heat network which leverages heat pump and cooling technology.
E.ON say that the system will save around 4,000 tonnes of CO2 a year – 88% lower emissions than from traditional gas boilers. The technology is already being used in other developments across Europe, including in Sweden and Italy, but marks the first for the UK.
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The regeneration of Silivertown is a major project expected to cost around £3.5bn.
“Around half of the energy in Europe is used for heating and cooling, mainly from non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels,” said E.ON COO Marc Spieker.
“This is precisely why we offer our customers innovative, reliable and affordable solutions in this area, using pioneering technology to reduce the CO2 emissions of entire neighborhoods or cities.”
Silvertown development director Ed Mayes, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Lendlease and a low-carbon energy network is central to our vision for Silvertown. We’re delighted to extend our relationship with E.ON and to be working with them to deliver their pioneering ectogridTM in the UK for the first time.
“Unlocking this complex site is the result of close partnerships – including the London Borough of Newham, the GLA, Homes England, and The Guinness Partnership – and in E.ON we have secured an equally strong partner to support us in delivering on our zero-carbon ambitions.”
In December last year, it was announced E.ON was partnering with renewable heat and solar energy business Naked Energy for large-scale industry decarbonisation projects across Europe and the UK.
