The Strategic Energy Partnership is a partnership between E.ON [https://www.eonenergy.com/sustainable-cities/coventry.html] and Coventry City Council.
The initiative, which has been operational since 2023, has seen E.ON working with the city council to form an alliance that is building a cleaner and more sustainable city. Driving a new green economy that will bring jobs, skills and opportunities for generations to come.
One year of the Strategic Energy Partnership - September 202 [https://www.eon-uk.news/news/coventry-city-council-and-e-on-celebrate-one-year-of-strategic-energy-partnership]4
As a result of the partnership, we are working together to develop ideas, projects and new innovations for the benefit of Coventry residents. The SEP’s strategic plan is aligned to all five priorities areas of our One Coventry Plan [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/onecoventryplan].
Watch Cllr Jim O'Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, and Chris Norbury, CEO of E.ON UK, explain the partnership below.
Information on the partnership
E.ON UK has been based in Coventry for 30 years, its HQ is based on Westwood Business Park in the city.
E.ON shares the Council's desire to see the city thrive in a sustainable way and will be bringing its expertise, knowledge and skills to the partnership.
By working with E.ON, taking advantage of their support and experience, the Council hopes to be able to undertake and achieve a number of projects that would otherwise have been difficult for the Council to undertake by itself.
The Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/urban-energy-innovation/2025/mar/18/drones-driving-and-decarbonising-schools-how-coventry-is-leading-the-way-in-energy-innovation] have published an article (March 2025) about the partnership and its activity in the city. It details a range of sustainability schemes, the action we are taking and the benefits that the city will see.
Working together to tackle climate change
As a City Council, we're committed to protecting the environment and reaching our sustainability goals.
Our Climate Change Strategy [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/climatechangestrategy] sets out our plans to ensure that Coventry is sustainable and prosperous - the council has an important role to play in addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
Climate Change represents a major challenge for Coventry that we cannot tackle on our own. By working with committed partners like E.ON can we achieve our goal to create a better, greener future for Coventry.
The four themes driving the partnership
1. Clean local energy - This theme is about making sure that Coventry residents have access to clean, locally generated energy. Projects working under this theme will focus on increasing local renewable energy generation and heat decarbonisation.
2. Jobs and skills - This theme is about making sure that our work provides employment and learning opportunities for Coventry residents from all backgrounds. This will be achieved through partnerships with educational institutions as well as providing hands-on experience for the next generation. Central to this theme is a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
3. Innovation and scale - This theme is about using innovative solutions to tackle issues – e.g. heat loss from homes. Coventry has a history of innovation and a reputation as being at the forefront of the green industrial revolution. Projects working under this theme will aim to build on that reputation.
4. Community benefits - This theme is about ensuring that all communities and residents benefit from our work. As part of the partnership, we will engage with vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities to provide them with energy support and advice.
SEP - the first 18 months
Since the inception of the partnership in September 2023, the SEP has seen a huge amount of activity and achievement. By working collaboratively with E.ON, the SEP has a number of projects in contract, developed a pipeline of innovation programmes and committed £1.3m in social value delivery. Tangible impacts for Coventry and its residents shown below:
Strategic developments
- Coventry Energy Plan [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/strategic-energy-partnership-1/strategic-energy-partnership-overview/4] produced - enables prioritisation of the most impactful projects for Coventry.
- Local renewable energy projects - development activity towards large-scale local renewable energy projects.
Innovation and propositions
- Pipeline programme - potential innovation projects developed using Coventry as a "living lab" to benefit from new technology.
- Affordability trail - innovation programme installing battery and time of use tariff, Coventry is the first UK location to pilot a scheme of this nature.
- Drone survey - energy efficiency pilot with Kestrix. Supporting residents to understand energy efficiency of their homes.
Projects
- Energy efficiency in domestic homes - over 100 homes retrofitted.
- Energy efficiency in schools - 2 schools installed with more energy efficient heating with a larger scale programme for more schools in development.
- Energy efficiency in Council buildings - solar panels installed in four council buildings in addition to heat pumps, again a larger scale programme to be developed.
- Council energy supply - our energy supply has an increased supply from renewable sources compared to our previous supplier.
Social value
- Community benefit - £1.3 million social impact committed across all projects.
- 4.6 local jobs have been created through technical projects - 2,000 jobs could be created across the city to support decarbonisation.
- 2 apprenticeships have been created - further apprenticeships will be created.
- School pupil engagement in energy efficiency - sessions delivered in 6 schools and included 480 primary school children.
- Accelerate summit - involving 400 secondary school pupils to participate in climate and sustainability workshops, including showcasing an arts performance.
- Care leavers placements - 16 care leavers attended a careers immersion and opportun
Coventry Energy Plan
Transitioning Coventry to Net Zero by 2050
The Coventry Energy Plan has been developed to help steer the direction of the partnership and to identify energy projects. It is a strategic long term energy vision for Coventry giving a detailed understanding of the energy challenges and opportunities looking to the next 15 years (from October 2024) and beyond.
A proposed pipeline of commercially viable and technically feasible energy projects have been identified, with a focus on heat decarbonisation for homes and businesses, retrofit of homes and Small, Medium, Enterprises (SMEs), electric vehicle charging and renewable and low carbon energy generation. The Coventry Energy Plan provides a prioritised approach to SEP activity that will make the biggest impact in Coventry.
Cities across the UK are facing a significant challenge in their journey to Net Zero. In response to this challenge and as part of the city's Climate Change Strategy [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/climate-change/climate-change-strategy], Coventry City Council appointed E.ON as its Strategic Energy Partner in 2023 to work together to achieve the city's energy goals over a 15 year period - Coventry is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, with an interim target of 68% reduction by 2030. According to the Net Zero Routemap [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7469/net-zero-carbon-route-map-for-coventry] projection leading to 2038, nearly a quarter of the city's emissions could be reduced through the Coventry Energy Plan's proposed initiatives.
Coventry Energy Plan - challenges and opportunities
The Coventry Energy Plan has identified a number of challenges and opportunities for the city and these are split into:
Gas heating - Coventry's energy mix is predominantly gas at 67% and primarily in domestic use. Emissions from gas-powered heating doesn't resolve itself without intentional action.
- This presents a great opportunity for the introduction of gas boiler alternatives and other sustainable heating solutions in the city.
- A significant proportion of the city's population rent their home or commercial unit (43% residential & 50% commercial). The SEP is committed to landlord relationship development to encourage alternative heating solutions in these buildings.
- The diverse building types that form Coventry's housing stock demand tailored solutions and economical propositions.
Transport - Transport is one of the biggest single sources of emissions in the city, 27%. Tackling the challenge of green transport systems and alternative mobility solutions is key to make a positive impact on carbon emissions in the city.
- Support electric transit options.
- Support Electric Vehicle (EV) charger installation.
- The SEP can facilitate clean energy supply to support the demands of the transport sector.
- Holistic solutions to decarbonise the Council's vehicle fleet.
- With electric vehicles being a part of a larger puzzle, a wider transport strategy is being explored for the city - a link will be posted once this document has been drafted.
Culture and behaviour - A shift in thinking and behaviour is needed to make new energy work.
- Businesses and residents would be supported with initiatives to help them with the transition to cleaner and greener technology.
- Inflation, high cost of living and increasing business overheads means limited availability of disposable funds that could be invested in sustainable solutions.
- The SEP has an opportunity to improve the uptake of sustainable solutions among residents and businesses.
- The SEP will innovate and pilot new propositions that will help drive change in the city.
The solution for Coventry
The SEP is uniquely positioned to provide solutions, and by the nature of its public-private structure and operational expertise, to provide solutions and delivery mechanisms to help meet these challenges and include:
- Community Benefit - creating jobs through local supply chains. Helping local businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. Employability, training initiatives, reskilling. Community initiatives.
- Environment - reducing carbon emissions will help businesses meet sustainability targets, access investment and created environment for business opportunities. Cleaner air, warmer homes and healthier environments to live in.
- Investment - Not all the investment will be through the SEP but it will create an enabling environment which maximises the opportunity for investment.
Local supplier information
Helping build sustainable businesses in Coventry - local suppliers can get involved with SEP activity.
The SEP are working hard to transform our city and communities into sustainable, energy-resilient and investable future places to live and work. Sustainable technologies will improve access to clean, affordable energy, support decarbonisation efforts, and create a more efficient and resilient energy grid.
The SEP will bring forward initiatives to enhance the quality of life for residents, communities and businesses which in turn will contribute to the overall economic development, environment and health of the city. If you would like to register your business to work with the SEP, please submit your details.
Supply chain enquiries - submit your information
Visit the EON website [https://www.eonenergy.com/sustainable-cities/coventry.html].