Consultants say West Midlands "needs a fivefold increase" in solar panels by 2026

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We like to keep an eye on how different regions in the UK are engaging with renewable energy targets and net zero aims, and today’s update comes from the West Midlands.


Consultants have suggested to the West Midlands Combined Authority that if the region is to meet its admirable target of being net zero by 2041, there are a number of measures that need to be put in place.


A recent meeting with the intention of forming a plan to be put before the WMCA board has come up with a number of suggestion for provisions that should be made by 2026, which include:

  • A “fivefold” increase in the number of properties with solar panels

  • 50% of homes retrofitted “to a reasonable standard” of energy efficiency

  • Increase from less than 1% of vehicles being electric, up to 8.5%

  • Industries using gas, oil and coal to reduce from 5TWh to less than 4.7TWh

Images shown at the presentation suggest that the region currently emits in the region of 11 megatons of CO2 emissions annually. Barny Evans, presenting, said: “Some of these measures, such as the solar panels, you could roll out tomorrow, while some you can’t. Heavy industry - our assumption is pretty conservative. We need to reduce that CO2 level by 60% by 2026 and then to zero by 2041. Almost all our homes and commercial buildings still use fossil fuel heating which needs to change. The deployment of solar on roofs which has big potential is very, very low. Electric vehicles are still less than 1% of the fleet. Three quarters of homes have a poor energy performance rating. All these all need to change.”

These are ambitious aims, but it appears that there are plenty of people in the region on board, and these targets are something that the UK government have endorsed at a national level as well. Responding to the points raised at the presentation, Chris Crean of West Midlands Friends of the Earth added: “It is really good to see the WMCA getting to grips with putting #WM2041 into some form of action and working to a 2026 date, but they need to show leadership as well as working with local authorities to enable them all to get moving on taking climate action and translating words into deeds.”

It remains to be seen what reception the respective recommendations will receive, with the various invested parties and the range of different costs involved, but we hope to see as many of the recommendations as possible implemented in time to achieve the net zero aims stated.


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