Local Authority decarbonisation retrofit scheme
Equans spearheaded a £111million industry-leading project to decarbonise 2,000 homes.Local Authority decarbonisation retrofit scheme
Equans spearheaded a £111million industry-leading project to decarbonise 2,000 homes.
Key numbers
Key numbers
Overview
On behalf of Birmingham City Council, Equans spearheaded a £111million industry-leading project to decarbonise 2,000 homes. A grant of £24million was secured from the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund for this bold, ambitious and impactful scheme, which has reduced fuel poverty and slashed carbon emissions.
Our work
Utilising its low-carbon expertise and in-depth knowledge of Birmingham’s social housing stock, Equans designed an efficient programme to retrofit the city’s least energy efficient councilowned homes. The project was divided into six workstreams - each encapsulating varying archetypes - from traditionally-built houses and low-rise flats to more challenging structures such as modular homes and high-rise tower blocks.
Equans was able to mobilise work quickly due to being the council’s primary repairs and maintenance contractor and its wellestablished existing supply chain links.
Impact
Homes have been upgraded with unique combinations of retrofit measures, including highly efficient roof, wall and cavity insulation, solar panels with battery storage, new windows, doors and balcony enclosures, and roofing systems and improved ventilation.
Energy monitoring devices were fitted in 300 homes, providing the council with data to help identify and tackle cases of fuel poverty and damp and mould.
An example report from one of these devices shows that heating usage fell by 75% in April 2025 compared to the same month in the previous year.
The energy efficiency improvements carried out bring homes up to an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C or above. Some homes are now EPC A rated – comparable to Passivhaus standards. Energy bills for residents have been reduced by up to £1,600 per year per household – significantly reducing the likelihood of fuel poverty.
The project has cut carbon emissions from homes by 2,500 tonnes, making Birmingham a cleaner and greener place to live. Solar panels fitted to over 400 homes can generate up to £4 of electricity per home per day, reducing reliance on power from the National Grid. Equans has also worked in Birmingham’s communities to help leave a lasting legacy, generating £11million of social value in the city in 2024 alone, including work experience opportunities and employment and skills support.
Areas are visibly uplifted, bringing a new sense of pride to neighbourhoods.
The project was named Retrofit Project of the Year at the 2025 Unlock Net Zero Awards.
Our expertise
Equans supports businesses, communities and the public sector by mobilising its expertise to provide low-carbon energy solutions, offer cutting-edge technical and FM services and transformative regeneration across the UK & Ireland.
