Sheffield City Council has revealed its new Local Area Energy Plan, which outlines ‘substantial potential for rooftop solar’.

The plan highlights how the city uses energy now, using an evidence-led approach to set out practical priorities for improvement going forward.

It has been formulated by the council and consultancy group Mott MacDonald, using technical analysis, scenario modelling and local knowledge, as well as contributions from businesses, community groups, universities, public bodies, and energy network operators.

Aims include increasing the energy efficiency of homes and public buildings, boosting Sheffield’s electricity network, expanding low-carbon heating, producing more renewable power, and delivering further electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

As part of its early priorities, the plan proposes to improve social and private homes, develop heat networks, introduce solar panels on appropriate council and public buildings, and increase EV charging in areas with limited off-street parking.

It highlights the ‘substantial potential for rooftop solar’ in Sheffield, where roughly 9,000 homes have solar panels installed already. Further opportunities identified include carrying out community energy projects to help schools, community buildings, and local organisations generate clean energy.

With roughly 14.3% of households in the region thought to be experiencing fuel poverty, the plan is designed to place ‘fairness at the heart of transition’. It reinforces the importance of improving insulation and energy performance to combat heat loss in homes.

The plan also suggests developing action over three phases, with 2026-2030 being focused on the acceleration of projects, 2031-2035 being used to scale up delivery, and 2036-2040 being spent driving broader transformation.

To advance the strategy to the next stage, the council has said that priority projects will need to be developed more, combined with an exploration of business cases and funding options, while ensuring that work with communities and delivery partners is maintained.

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Cllr Alexi Dimond, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate policy committee at Sheffield City Council, said: ‘It is about much more than cutting carbon. It is about warmer homes, more secure and affordable energy, cleaner air, better transport, healthier communities, and creating new opportunities for local businesses and workers.

‘We know the scale of the challenge is significant, and the council cannot deliver this transition alone. By working with communities, businesses, universities, energy providers and Government, we can build an energy system that works better for everyone, make sure no one in Sheffield is left behind, and deliver a sustainable future for generations to come.’