More than 5km of pipework has now been installed, as major milestones achieved.
Ambitious plans to bring an affordable new source of low carbon heating to Solihull town centre are pushing ahead, working in partnership with Solihull Council, we continue to make significant strides with its flagship low carbon energy network.
We have successfully installed more than 5km of the planned 5.5km underground pipe network, including a recently completed 600 metre stretch along Homer Road. In parallel, progress at the state-of-the-art Energy Centre at Tudor Grange Park is powering forward, with Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) already installed and key infrastructure taking shape.
Once operational, the system will deliver sustainable heating, hot water and power to a range of town centre buildings via a cutting-edge district energy network, connecting users to a cleaner, more efficient supply directly from the new Energy Centre.
Backed by a £9.6 million loan from the National Wealth Fund, this pioneering project remains on track and continues to build momentum. It forms part of a wider strategy to reduce boroughwide carbon emissions and strengthen Solihull’s energy resilience for decades to come.
One of the first buildings to benefit from the network will be The Core Theatre on Homer Road. Further buildings connecting in this initial phase include Solihull College & University Centre, Tudor Grange Academy and Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, laying the foundation for future phases and broader network expansion.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council, said:
“This project is a clear demonstration of our commitment to cutting carbon emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and investing in a sustainable future for our town centre. It’s extremely encouraging to see the rapid progress on the ground - with over 5km of pipework already laid and heat pumps installed at our new Energy Centre, we are well on our way to realising this bold vision.”
Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning, added:
“Heating is the biggest contributor to the UK’s carbon footprint. By shifting to a networked low carbon energy solution, we’re tackling this issue on a wider scale making it more practical and cost effective for multiple buildings to benefit. The air source heat pumps at the heart of our Energy Centre will play a major role in delivering clean power where it's needed most.”
