COP30 identifies Silvertown among global sustainability best practice examples

The Silvertown districting heating system has been named one of three E.ON projects across Europe highlighted as a leading example of business sustainability initiatives.

The East London redevelopment project has been selected for inclusion in the Sustainable Business COP Case Booklet, a global showcase of private sector climate solutions curated for the UN Climate Conference COP30 Brazil.

E.ON and Lendlease are developing the pioneering low carbon energy network to serve the 6,500 new homes and business properties at the Silvertown development in East London’s Royal Docks. Silvertown is pioneering the UK’s first ectogrid™ – a 5th generation heat and cooling network based on the concept of shared energy that could save approximately 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year.

The primary energy source for Silvertown will be a central energy centre which will utilise heat pumps and chillers to provide heating and cooling efficiently across the network. All buildings within the development will be interconnected, enabling them to communicate and share energy to balance their overall energy needs before any new energy inputs are needed.

Unlike traditional systems, E.ON’s ectogrid™ moves low-grade energy across a shared loop, with each building using its own local heat pump to deliver the temperature it needs. It’s not just efficient, it’s transformative, and has the potential to reduce overall energy consumption by 70% - ideal for mixed-use, low-carbon neighbourhoods.

What’s more, additional sources of heating and cooling – such as manufacturing sites, data centres, and even the Underground – could in future be called on to provide heat that can be distributed across buildings, helping to reduce waste.

We’re proud to be recognised by the Sustainable Business COP initiative alongside global peers – reinforcing our role in accelerating the energy transition, enabling climate-resilient infrastructure, and shaping a sustainable future.

E.ON other projects also recognised by Sustainable Business COP are:

• Evailable an AI tool developed within E.ON Group Innovation to support charging station operators and manufacturers in improving the availability of their charging points, reducing operating costs and securing sales.  An initiative which works to build trust in the transition to renewable transport by boosting charging availability for EV drivers.
• ‘Close the Loop’ an E.ON Sweden initiative which explores possibilities around recycling conducting metals in distribution transformers aiming to reduce the need of virgin materials.