Lower bills and warmer homes as more than 200 flats benefit from major heat pump retrofit programme after Southend-on-Sea City Council uses Fusion21's Heating, Renewables and Electrical Framework

Southend-on-Sea City Council appointed Kensa via Fusion21's Heating, Renewables and Electrical Framework for the delivery of a large-scale heating upgrade across three tower blocks, improving energy efficiency and supporting residents with rising energy costs.

The challenge

Southend-on-Sea City Council sought a delivery partner for a major project updating the heating supply at the Brecon, Blackdown and Grampian tower blocks at the Balmoral Estate, Southend-on-Sea.

The goal was to replace existing electric heating systems within 203 council-owned flats with modern, lower-carbon and more energy-efficient ground source heat pump systems.

Key challenges included:

• Replacing older systems to leave residents with warmer flats
• Both external and internal works at the blocks to create the necessary network of pipes
• Delivering community engagement programmes
• Delivering meaningful social value impact

The approach

The council accessed Fusion21’s Heating, Renewables and Electrical Framework (2024-28) - Lot 4 Domestic Heating (GSHP) to appoint an experienced delivery partner for this scheme.

Through the framework:

• Fusion21 supplier Kensa was appointed from a pre-qualified supply chain
• This work was funded through a grant of £3.4m from the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
• Kensa created a dedicated Site Manager role for a local job opportunity

This approach enabled:

• Significant resident and community engagement to support delivery.
• Installation of networked ground source heat pumps to replace older, inefficient heating systems
• This included drilling and groundworks, installation of underground pipework to form a shared ground array, installation of distribution pipework within communal entrance areas and hallways, and the subsequent installation of individual heating equipment within each occupied flat.
• Use of local labour as part of social value delivered

Clare Hasprey – Kensa Regional Manager said: “Lots of work goes into the successful delivery of a project like this. We have found a great local site manager and through lots of early engagement events, we are really starting to feel like part of the community, and it’s a privilege to provide the community with the lowest cost of heat and bring these residents out of fuel poverty.”

The outcomes

203 council-owned homes within the three tower blocks will be receiving reliable networked low-carbon ground source heat pumps in place of out-dated and inefficient heating systems. Pipework will be installed for all flats in the blocks, including leaseholder flats.

The programme commenced in March 2026 and is planned to continue until January 2028.

This will deliver:

• Improved thermal comfort and living conditions
• Expectation of reduced energy bills for residents
• Improved EPC ratings helping the council to meet the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) within the new Decent Homes Standard
• Progress towards government Net Zero targets
• Long-term resilience and future-proofed homes
• The scheme also delivered the following social value outcomes:
• Local employee hired as Site Manager on a fixed-term contract

Proof points:

• Decarbonisation delivered at scale with upgrades across three tower blocks
• Delivered through Fusion21’s Heating, Renewables and Electrical Framework

Start your heating and renewables programme with confidence

Fusion21 helps housing providers deliver heating and renewables programmes at scale through a compliant, trusted route – reducing risk, accelerating delivery, and achieving meaningful outcomes for residents.

Find out more about our Heating, Renewables and Electrical Framework here.