Plans to draw heat from the River Thames to warm cultural and academic landmarks on London’s South Bank have moved a step closer after the developer Hemiko secured government backing. Ministers say heat networks can offer lower bills for consumers and help reduce reliance on imported energy. The company says it plans to invest £1bn into town- and city-scale heat networks by 2030. “By developing the Waterloo and South Bank Heat Network now, we are unlocking a cheaper future for businesses and residents in the area. “Our strategy is to develop heat networks in the most heat dense area, where the customers want and need to link together and get access to the locally available waste heat.