6x Options Selected by Westminster City Council
Below is a summary of the options that were shortlisted at Westminster City Council's Cabinet Meeting held on 16th October 2025. All but option 4 involve retaining a centralised district heat network like the existing PDHU and therefore require the refurbishment of the existing network of pipes. On Monday 17th November, the Energy Ombudsman recommended that all decisions on the PDHU upgrade be deferred until new technical standards are released between Q1 and mid-2026. The Council have chosen to ignore this expert advice and press ahead with its shortlist of options, and plans to reach a final decision early next year
Option | Title | Main Energy Source | Short Description | Refurbish pipework network? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Do the minimum | Centralised Gas boilers | Replace all pipework beneath the streets, within blocks and within flats, and retain the existing centralised gas boilers. | ✔️ |
2 | River Source Heat Pump | Local Energy Source | Installation of a river source heat pump using heat recovered from the River Thames to provide heat into the PDHU network. Centralised gas or electric boilers will be required to cover peak demand. All existing pipework would be replaced/upgraded. | ✔️ |
3 | Mobile Heat Batteries | Third Party Energy Source | Heat produced by burning waste in east London will be used to heat water which will be moved up the Thames on barges in order to supply the PDHU | ✔️ |
4 | Direct electric | Individual electric boilers in flats | Decommission the PDHU network and install individual electric boilers in homes. This is the resident preferred option, as identified by our survey. | X |
What difference does the energy source make?
The energy source determines whether or not an underground and in-building network of pipes is required and therefore has a significant impact on the cost and level of disruption to residents. It also impacts the amount of control that the Council has over the cost of energy.
Local Energy Source – Similar to the existing system, heating and hot water would be provided to PDHU customers from a centralised source of heat generated locally. Hot water is distributed into dwellings through a network of pipes.
Direct electric heating – The existing heat network would be decommissioned. Heating and hot water would be provided independently to individual dwellings or properties via an in-flat boiler, with no requirement for hot water distribution through underground pipework or within communal areas.
Third Party Energy Source - Similar to the existing system, however heating and hot water would be provided to PDHU customers from a third party and purchased at an agreed price. Hot water is distributed into dwellings through a network of pipes.