To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress he has made in taking forward the connection of the Pimlico and Whitehall district heating schemes as announced in the Budget 2009; and how much his Department is planning to spend on this project. (315187)

Working closely with the London Development Agency we have made good progress identifying the route for the pipe work, and the location of the interconnector and with resolving certain technical issues involved with this complicated project. DECC has earmarked £1.75 million for the project, subject to match funding by the London Development Agency.