Turning a city-scale heat network concept into reality in West Bromwich

We supported Sandwell Council for a number of years through feasibility, business case development and commercialisation to develop a major heat network scheme for West Bromwich. We began helping the council from prior mapping work to conduct detailed feasibility investigations and project development (DPD) – resulting in a cabinet approved business case based on a Joint Venture delivery model. We then supported the council to access capital and commercial funding through the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) and are presently supporting commercialisation which will resolve a final business case, procure a joint venture delivery partner and lead to a final investment decision to enable construction of this £50m scheme.

Sandwell Council had limited resources and no prior experience of city-scale heat network systems when we began working with them in early 2018. We provided focused technical, commercial, financial and legal expertise, from our supply chain, to provide a comprehensive advisory and project management solution. We have developed a plan to fit their specific circumstances that meets the needs of the key stakeholders and that aligns to the council’s ambitions. It will provide a significant carbon reduction solution that will bring jobs and investment to the borough.

Construction on the scheme is scheduled to begin in 2026, with enabling works in 2025. The £50-million scheme proposes to use a private Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plant as the principal heat source and supply a wide range of consumers including an acute hospital, a major college, high-rise housing, significant new development and private sector consumers. It is anticipated that the network can grow over time particularly as heat network zoning powers become available.

Want to hear more? Contact

Robert Clark

CEO

Granlund UK

+44( 0) 778 9248432

firstname.lastname@granlundgroup.com