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Manchester's Energy Network, a £24 million project, will not meet net zero environmental targets until 2028 due to operational setbacks. After reporting losses of £1.3 million and requiring a £1.5 million council bail-out, the network, which began operations in 2021, has not contributed to the city's goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2038.

The network's reliance on biomass fuel has faced scrutiny, prompting plans for a costly revamp to convert to an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). Design work commenced in 2024, with construction expected to take years and the project projected to go live in 2028.