London Strategic Heat Main secures £41.63m for low-carbon heat infrastructure

Published 19th October 2026 · Heat networks · London

London’s proposed Strategic Heat Main has secured £41.63 million through the Green Heat Network Fund, supporting infrastructure intended to move recovered heat from the Thames Estuary into local networks across the capital.

The award comprises £1 million for commercialisation and £40.63 million for construction. Cory announced the funding on 23rd September 2026; this is a project briefing on that announcement.

What is proposed?

Hot-water pipes within tunnels would carry heat more than 25km from Cory’s energy-from-waste campus in Belvedere, Bexley, towards central London. The fund’s delivery partner, Triple Point, describes potential capacity equivalent to up to 650,000 homes through local heat networks. This is a capacity estimate, rather than a count of homes connected.

Cory proposes electric thermal barges as an interim route from 2028, carrying heated water to storage facilities while permanent infrastructure is developed. That timetable remains a project intention.

Why this matters

For councils, housing providers and public-estate teams, the proposal highlights the relationship between strategic heat supply and local connection projects. A transmission main alone does not settle individual buildings’ connection costs, technical readiness or consumer arrangements.

Teams considering a future connection should assess building heat demand, existing heating systems, local network plans and commercial terms together. Early coordination between boroughs, estate owners and network developers could help identify viable demand clusters; it does not guarantee a connection or savings.

Project status

Funding awarded; development and consent processes remain. The proposed strategic main is not operational. The separate £11.51 million Riverside Heat Network award should not be confused with this £41.63 million award.

Sources

Cory Group, announcement dated 23rd September 2026: https://www.corygroup.co.uk/media/news-insights/uks-first-large-scale-heat-main-awarded-gbp40m-deliver-low-carbon-heat-london/

Green Heat Network Fund delivery partner, Round 10 project record: https://tp-heatnetworks.org/funded-projects/

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