Forging a greener future for Sheffield: E.ON’s Blackburn Meadows marks 10 years with ambitious plans for the next decade

• Tinsley site celebrates 10 years as renewable energy hub, driving Sheffield’s green transformation
• Major expansion of low-carbon heat network, adding 10km of new connections
• Site exploring hydrogen production and AI-driven technology to future-proof plant and support city’s decarbonisation goals

Sheffield’s reputation was built on steel and innovation – and today, that same pioneering spirit is powering a greener future. A decade after its transformation into a renewable energy hub, E.ON’s Blackburn Meadows renewable energy plant is marking its own 10-year anniversary, not by looking back but by pushing forward with bold innovations in sustainable energy.

Once home to the iconic Tinsley Towers, Blackburn Meadows has since evolved into a biomass-fuelled power plant, using waste wood – otherwise destined for landfill – to generate heat and power. Construction of the plant began in 2009, with power generation starting in 2014, followed by the site supplying heat to the network in 2015. By 2017, the site’s industrial battery storage became operational, delivering rapid-response support to the grid in under a second to enhance stability.

E.ON is now playing a key role in supporting Sheffield’s ambition to become a zero-carbon city by 2030. One of the biggest steps forward is the planned expansion of the Don Valley district heating network, which is powered by the biomass-fuelled Blackburn Meadows plant. This will add 10km to the existing 8km network, which already supplies energy to Sheffield landmarks such as IKEA, Ice Sheffield, and Forgemasters, extending low-carbon heating to even more homes and businesses across the Lower Don Valley.

Jess Dhariwal, Plant Manager at Blackburn Meadows, said: "Sheffield has always been a city of innovation, and now it’s leading the charge in the UK’s transition to net zero. With ambitious heat network expansion plans, pioneering hydrogen research and commitment to low-carbon energy, the city is proving that sustainable solutions can power both industry and communities.

“Blackburn Meadows is at the heart of this transformation – demonstrating how we can build on existing infrastructure to meet future energy needs. As the UK moves towards its decarbonisation goals, projects like this will be critical in delivering cleaner, more efficient energy to cities across the country.”

Continuing Sheffield’s legacy of innovation, Blackburn Meadows is playing a pivotal role in the HYDESS project (Hydrogen Decarbonisation of Sheffield Steel), exploring how hydrogen can help decarbonise one of the UK’s most energy-intensive industries. The site has the potential to initially produce 1,500 tonnes of hydrogen annually, with capacity to scale up as demand grows - keeping Sheffield at the forefront of green manufacturing.

At the same time, advanced AI and automation will be integrated into site operations to enhance efficiency, optimise energy use, and reduce environmental impact — securing Blackburn Meadows’ role as a cutting-edge energy hub for years to come.

Investing in Sheffield’s future

Beyond energy, E.ON is committed to delivering long-term benefits for Sheffield, including:

• Creating more than 2,000 jobs across engineering, construction, and project management
• Partnering with education providers to develop green skills and apprenticeships
• Enhancing Sheffield’s urban landscape with new cycle paths, tree planting, and improved public spaces
• Inspiring future generations through Skills Street, offering hands-on learning in green energy and technology to over 16,000 young people annually

Heat networks – also known as district heating – are a low-carbon alternative to traditional gas boilers, delivering heat to homes and workplaces from a centralised source. Not only are they more environmentally friendly, but they’re also often the most cost-effective low carbon heating solution, helping customers save on energy bills while reducing the city’s overall carbon footprint.

The expansion project aligns with the UK government’s strategy to decarbonise heat in cities, supporting Sheffield City Council’s involvement in the Heat Network Zone Pilot Programme (HNZPP) and Advanced Zoning Pilot (AZP). Both programmes aim to accelerate the construction of large-scale heat networks, with Sheffield set to be one of the first cities to benefit from these efforts when heat network zoning is introduced in 2025.