Renewable energy in Sheffield is transforming lives and bringing down bills for households
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Sheffield had the chance to showcase how collaboration between a major energy company and social housing providers can help improve lives and cut energy bills.
According to the latest census figures 22.6%* of households in Sheffield are in the rental sector – over 18,000 homes are rented out through housing associations which equates to 7%, whilst the rest are provided by the local authority.
Many social housing tenants are on fixed or limited incomes – and finding an affordable way to stay warm in winter is a challenge not just for the residents, but for social housing providers themselves.
E.ON Green Funding Solutions helps to address this challenge. E.ON works with social housing providers up and down the country – both public and private – to help secure Government funding to retrofit their housing stock to help decarbonise, and ultimately improve the quality of live for residents.
By working with social housing providers, and utilising Government grant funding, they’re installing energy efficient and sustainable measures such as solar panels, heat pumps and improved insulation, helping to improve the UK’s housing stock and ultimately ensure lower energy bills and increased comfort at home for the long-term.
Sheffield showcases success
Set against the impressive backdrop of the Blackburn Meadows renewable energy plant on the outskirts of Sheffield in the Don Valley, E.ON’s Green Funding Solutions team took the opportunity to bring together housing professionals from across Yorkshire, Humber, and Lincolnshire for an inspiring and informative event, showcasing how innovation is transforming lives. Attendees not only learned more about how E.ON is leading the way in decarbonisation but also what help is out there.
· Helped 148 social housing providers secure a total of £514 million in Government grant funding
· Using this funding, they have installed nearly 30,000 energy saving measures
· This has improved the lives of over 19,000 vulnerable customers
Attendees saw first-hand how some of E.ON’s standout collaborative achievements of recent years have made real impact. Taking on initial design and planning, to construction and final delivery, E.ON has supported more than 148 partners in the housing sector, helping them to secure £514 million in funding since 2020. That investment has enabled the installation of nearly 30,000 energy-saving measures, improving living conditions for more than 19,400 vulnerable households.
E.ON delivers improvements at scale and was able to show the impact better homes can have on families and communities in terms of lower bills and reduced carbon emissions.
Highlighting the breadth and depth of expertise within E.ON’s Energy Infrastructure Solutions business, it demonstrated the range of support available to partners working to decarbonise homes and buildings. For many, it also served as an introduction to the vital work of Green Funding Solutions and their commitment to improving the lives of residents in social housing and private homes.
The event also shone a light on the company’s unwavering commitment to funding compliance, safety, and building strong local supply chains. This commitment along with substantial social impact delivered through every project are just some of the elements that consistently make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.
Alan Jones, from E.ON’s Green Funding Solutions team, said: “The day was a powerful reminder of what true collaboration can achieve.”
By bringing together funding support, technical expertise, and large-scale infrastructure solutions, we can accelerate meaningful progress. E.ON remains firmly committed to partnering with organisations on their decarbonisation and net-zero journeys, ensuring we deliver real, lasting change for communities and the environment. Together, we can continue to create warmer homes, lower bills, and stronger communities.
Thomas Eastwood of Hull City Council’s Warm Homes Team said: “It was inspiring to see Blackburn Meadows biomass power station in action, powering the local district heating network. It was also encouraging to hear how these decarbonisation initiatives are helping local residents enjoy warmer, more comfortable homes. At Hull City Council, we are passionate about this mission and are working closely with E.ON to bring warmer, more affordable housing to communities across the city.”
Reflecting on the event, Joe Hill, Business Development Manager at E.ON, said he had seen first-hand the benefits that green funding solutions bring to improve the lives of households most in need.
“Our focus is on installing measures that reduce bills for residents, such as insulation to lower heat demand, energy generation through solar, and low-carbon heat for more efficient heating systems,” he said.
Find out more about how E.ON Green Funding Solutions are partnering with local authorities and housing associations to secure government funding and deliver energy-efficient solutions.