SOLIHULL’S flagship low‑carbon energy network has entered its final stages ahead of being rolled out this summer.
All pipework for the first phase of the scheme has now been successfully installed, creating the spine of the new town centre energy network.
And the construction and fit‑out of the new Energy Centre at Tudor Grange Park is almost complete.
Landscaping works around the site are set to begin, marking another visible step toward the network becoming fully operational.
The next phase of works includes final connections to customer buildings, and testing and commissioning of the system.
Once complete, the network will begin supplying low‑carbon heat and hot water to its first customers.
The Energy Centre, powered by a heating plant that includes high‑efficiency air source heat pumps, will serve a range of town centre buildings, including The Core Theatre, Solihull College and University Centre, Tudor Grange Academy and Tudor Grange Leisure Centre.
Expansion plans are already under way, supporting the Council’s wider ambitions to cut carbon emissions, improve energy resilience, and future‑proof the town centre’s energy infrastructure.
Backed by a £9.6million loan from the National Wealth Fund and UK Government funding, the project is being delivered in partnership with Vital Energi, who will design, build, operate, and maintain the network.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, leader of Solihull Council, said: “Reaching this stage is a major achievement for everyone involved.
“With the Energy Centre nearing completion and all phase one pipework now in the ground, we are moving ever closer to delivering cleaner, more efficient energy to key buildings in our town centre.
“This project is central to the long‑term vision for a greener, more resilient Solihull, set out in our town centre masterplan.”
Solihull Energy, the Council owned company established to operate the network, is already in discussions with a range of potential phase two customers as plans for future expansion progress.
Simon Jones, regional manager at Vital Energi, said: “The project has reached an exciting point, with the Energy Centre taking shape and the full phase one network now installed.
“Our teams have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and we look forward to supporting Solihull Council as we move into commissioning and prepare to bring the network online.”
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