From Coal to Clean Energy: Cannock Chase's Energy Transition
Few places in the Midlands have a closer link with energy than Cannock Chase. For more than a century, the Cannock Chase coalfield employed thousands of people in Hednesford, Rugeley, Norton Canes and Chase Terrace, and the Rugeley power stations dominated the skyline beside the River Trent. With the last local pits long closed and Rugeley B power station shut down in 2016, the district now sits at the centre of a very different energy story.
Today, households and businesses across Cannock Chase are installing solar panels, heat pumps, battery storage and electric vehicle chargers. Local employers are signing renewable power purchase agreements, and the former Rugeley power station site is being redeveloped into a sustainable community. Below are ten renewable energy companies that are shaping this transition for local customers.
How We Selected These Companies
We looked at each company's renewable generation portfolio, the services available to customers in Staffordshire, customer satisfaction, innovation and its contribution to the UK's net zero goals. The list includes national suppliers, generators and technology providers active in the area.
1. Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy has become one of the UK's largest energy suppliers, with a strong focus on renewable electricity and smart tariffs. It also installs heat pumps, solar panels and EV chargers, and its time-of-use tariffs help Cannock Chase households save money by using power when it is cheaper and greener.
2. Good Energy
Good Energy is a pioneer of renewable electricity in the UK, supplying power sourced from solar, wind and hydro generators. It supports thousands of small independent generators and offers solar and heat pump services, making it a popular choice for environmentally conscious customers.
3. Ecotricity
Ecotricity was one of the first green electricity companies in Britain and continues to build its own wind and solar generation. Its focus on reinvesting in new renewable capacity appeals to customers who want their bills to support the growth of clean energy.
4. ENGIE
ENGIE owned and operated the Rugeley B power station before its closure and has been closely involved in plans to transform the site into a new community with homes, employment land and green space. The company is now a major provider of low-carbon energy services and renewable solutions for businesses and the public sector.
5. Veolia
Veolia operates the energy recovery facility at Four Ashes, a short distance from Cannock, which turns non-recyclable household waste from Staffordshire into electricity. This waste-to-energy approach reduces landfill and provides a steady source of power, demonstrating how local infrastructure contributes to the region's energy mix.
6. EDF
EDF is one of the UK's largest generators of low-carbon electricity through nuclear power and a growing portfolio of wind, solar and battery projects. It supplies homes and businesses across Cannock Chase and offers solar, battery and heat pump services.
7. RWE
RWE is one of the biggest renewable generators in the UK, with significant offshore and onshore wind capacity and a growing solar and storage portfolio. Its large-scale projects feed the national grid that powers homes and businesses across Staffordshire.
8. SSE Renewables
SSE Renewables develops and operates onshore and offshore wind farms and hydro schemes across the UK and Ireland. It is a key player in delivering the clean electricity that the Midlands increasingly relies on.
9. British Gas
As one of the UK's most familiar energy brands, British Gas has a large network of engineers that install heat pumps, solar panels and EV chargers. For many Cannock Chase homeowners, it is a convenient way to begin moving away from gas heating.
10. E.ON Next
E.ON Next supplies renewable-backed electricity and offers solar panel, battery and heat pump installations. It also provides smart energy solutions for businesses, helping local employers track and reduce their carbon footprints.
Renewable Energy Trends in Cannock Chase
Because much of the district is protected as Cannock Chase National Landscape, large wind farms are unlikely to be built locally. Instead, the focus is on rooftop solar, heat pumps, battery storage and energy efficiency improvements to homes and commercial buildings. Warehouses and industrial units along the A5 and M6 Toll have large roof areas that are ideal for solar arrays, and many businesses are now fitting them to reduce costs and meet sustainability targets.
Government schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme continue to support heat pump installations, while smart meters and time-of-use tariffs are helping households manage demand. Community energy groups across Staffordshire are also exploring shared solar projects that keep the benefits in local hands.
How to Choose a Renewable Energy Provider
Consider whether you want a green tariff, an installation, or both. Check where a supplier's renewable electricity comes from, read independent customer reviews, and for installations, make sure installers are MCS certified and offer strong warranties. Compare quotes and ask about available grants before committing.
Final Thoughts
Cannock Chase's energy history is being rewritten. The companies above are helping local homes and businesses move from fossil fuels to cleaner, more affordable energy, continuing the district's long tradition of powering the region, this time sustainably.
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