More than 5km of pipework now installed as major milestones achieved
Ambitious plans to bring an affordable new source of low carbon heating to Solihull town centre are pushing ahead, as Solihull Council, working in partnership with Vital Energi, continues to make significant strides with its flagship low carbon energy network.
All of the underground pipe network (totalling over 5km) has now been successfully installed by Vital Energi, 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 and 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.
Cllr 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.”
Cllr 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 cleaner energy where it's needed most.”
Vital Energi’s Regional Director, Andrew Wightman, said:
“The new district energy network in Solihull will bring significant benefits to those who connect to it. As we move forward with the scheme, our collaborative partnership with Solihull Council continues to thrive. The team has worked tirelessly to bring this complex section of the network to completion, and I would like to extend a huge congratulations to everyone involved. Their dedication has been outstanding, and I look forward to seeing the construction of the project continue as we move forward with the next phases of the low carbon energy project.”
First phase customers can expect to begin benefiting from the new network soon, with the entire system set to be fully operational by spring 2026. This milestone will position the borough as a national leader in sustainable urban energy infrastructure.
Photo Caption: Left to Right – Cllr Andy Mackiewicz (Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Planning), Councillor Karen Grinsell (Leader of Solihull Council) and Dave Pardoe, Contracts Manager (Vital Energi) stood in front of the recently installed Air Source Heat Pumps.