In Coventry, we’re not waiting for the future – we’re building the blueprint for it

If a city could dream, what would it imagine for its future?

While others map out their green ambitions, Coventry is already bringing them to life – transforming everyday spaces into hubs of sustainable energy. While others talk about the energy transition, this city is rolling up its sleeves and building it – one smart school, one lower-carbon home, one ambitious pilot project at a time.

From heat pumps in primary schools to solar panels powering community centres and battery flexibility projects helping with lower bills for vulnerable customers, we’re proving the green cities of tomorrow aren’t just possible – they’re already taking shape. 

And as Coventry City Council’s strategic energy partner - we're playing a leading role in this.

A city-wide transition

This transition isn’t happening in isolation – it’s city-wide. Schools are becoming smarter, homes are getting energy upgrades, and community buildings are stepping into a new era of sustainability.

Take Coventry’s leisure centres and community hubs, for example. Through the installation of heat pumps, solar panels, and smart energy controls, these spaces are becoming more energy-efficient while cutting costs. And with the city rolling out the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme, homes aren’t being left behind. These upgrades will boost energy efficiency, improve EPC ratings, and ensure Coventry’s sustainable transformation is something that benefits everyone.

Our new sustainability partnership with the city’s iconic Coventry Building Society Arena is yet another step in this transformation, as we look to decarbonise the arena through green, sustainable energy solutions. 

What we’re building here is bigger than Coventry, it’s a blueprint for cities everywhere. Every city has schools, homes, public buildings and most of them could benefit from more sustainable energy solutions. What we’re proving in Coventry could be scaled up nationwide, and it isn’t just about going greener, it’s about showing how data and innovation can make the transition seamless, scalable and cost-effective.

Leading the charge on EV infrastructure

Coventry is accelerating its ambitious vision to become a clean air city by securing more than £12 million in funding to create more than 2,100 on-street electric vehicle charging spaces.

Outside of London, Coventry leads the way in EV charger availability, with 499 charging stations per 100,000 people. With our help in developing EV charging in public spaces across the city, Coventry’s infrastructure isn’t just expanding – it’s proving how cities can future-proof themselves for a low-carbon economy.

Innovation that’s flowing in unexpected places

And we’re not stopping there. Even Coventry’s waste water is being explored as an energy source.

Alongside Severn Trent, we’re supporting a project to recover heat energy from sewers to provide heating and cooling to local buildings. It’s a reminder that our natural environment holds untapped potential for clean energy – and we’re only just beginning to explore what’s possible.

A living lab for the future

But Coventry isn’t just adopting new energy solutions - it’s becoming a testing ground for the future. Through our strategic energy partnership, the city is evolving into a ‘living lab’ for emerging energy technologies, providing a launchpad for startups and innovative projects that could shape the way we power cities everywhere.

Take our latest pilot programme, designed to tackle energy affordability head-on. We’re installing fully funded home battery systems, helping vulnerable households to lower their bills and take control of their energy use. This isn’t just about short-term savings or throwing more and more money at the problem, it’s about using innovation to provide long-term security.

At its core, this transformation isn’t just about technology, it’s about rethinking how a city generates, stores, and uses energy in ways that make sense for the people who live there. It’s about making smart, green solutions second nature to the next generation so that when they grow up, they won’t just accept the status quo, they’ll push for better.

What we’re building in Coventry isn’t just for Coventry. It’s a blueprint for the future of cities everywhere. And with innovation, collaboration and a bit of bold thinking, that future is closer than you think.