Renewable energy
Key progress 2024 to 2025
Developing a town centre District Heat Network
Stockport Council, the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), and key partners like Stepping Hill Hospital are working together to speed up the shift to low-carbon energy across the borough. Government funding has supported the development of a District Heat Network (DHN), which will use heat pumps to extract energy from local sewers to heat public buildings. The project could cut over 7,000 tonnes of carbon each year.
Thanks to a successful bid to the Green Heat Network Fund in 2024, the scheme is now moving into its final planning stages. Stockport was also chosen by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero as the only town in the UK to join the Advanced Zoning Programme, which helps to secure more funding and support for expanding DHN projects.
Small scale district heating
This year we partnered with Stockport Hydro to explore a small-scale heating network in Marple, centred around the new Marple Hub. Funded by the Community Energy Fund, this study looked at how local land and resources could support sustainable energy projects. The findings will help guide future plans for Marple and similar areas.
Solar power in schools
We’re continuing our work with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the Powering Our Schools project, which promotes solar panel installations on school rooftops. We’re currently supporting 9 schools in Stockport with their installations.
This will save 101 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.