Ectogrid™ talk of the Silver(town)

Silvertown is setting a new benchmark for sustainable urban regeneration in the UK. As part of our commitment to delivering resilient, future-focused communities, Lendlease has partnered with E.ON to introduce the country’s first ectogrid™ energy network — a pioneering low-carbon solution designed to transform how cities heat and cool their buildings.

Silvertown is undergoing a major transformation into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood. With over 6,000 homes and businesses planned, the need for a scalable, sustainable energy system was clear. E.ON’s ectogrid™ technology offers a groundbreaking response: a decentralised network that shares, balances, and stores energy across buildings using local sources such as air, water, and ground — before drawing on external supply. This approach reduces energy consumption, lowers carbon emissions, and enhances long-term affordability.

A UK First in Energy Innovation

The ectogrid™ at Silvertown is the first of its kind in Britain, representing a major step forward in the UK’s energy transition. Compared to traditional gas boilers, the system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 88%, saving over 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. It’s a model for how large-scale developments can integrate low-carbon infrastructure from the outset — not as an add-on, but as a core component of placemaking.

Designed for Community Impact

Beyond environmental performance, the ectogrid™ delivers tangible benefits for residents and businesses:

• Improved comfort and air quality through cleaner energy sources

• Greater energy security by reducing reliance on external supply

• Lower energy costs, helping to alleviate fuel poverty

• Green job creation, with over 10,000 roles supported through the development

This system also strengthens Silvertown’s resilience to future energy challenges, ensuring the community remains adaptable and protected from market volatility.

Recognised on the Global Stage

The Silvertown ectogrid™ was recently recognised at COP28 in Dubai, winning a prize for energy efficiency as part of the UN’s Energy Transition Changemakers initiative. This international accolade underscores the project’s role in shaping scalable, innovative solutions for urban sustainability.

Building a Greener Borough

The London Borough of Newham has endorsed the ectogrid™ as a key contributor to its vision for a more inclusive and environmentally responsible future. As Silvertown evolves, it will serve as a blueprint for how energy, community, and design can come together to create places that are not only liveable — but regenerative.

Silvertown is more than a development. It’s a commitment to a low-carbon future — powered by innovation, shaped by partnership, and built for generations to come.