Behind E.ON's Coventry Victory

Case study: How Commonplace Played a Pivotal Role in E.ON’s Strategic Partnership Win with Coventry City Council

• Launch date: 11th May 2023
• Visitors total: 2487
• Outcome: Contract award

Project Overview

Coventry City Council's partnership with E.ON marks a significant step in the UK's journey toward a sustainable future. This groundbreaking collaboration is designed to transform energy use across Coventry, drive the development of a greener economy, create jobs, and enhance skills for future generations. At the heart of this successful bid, which secured a £2 billion contract, was E.ON's strategic use of Commonplace—a digital engagement platform that helped gather critical intelligence and community insights to shape a winning proposal.

The Challenge

To secure the contract with Coventry City Council, E.ON needed to demonstrate not only a robust technical and financial plan but also a deep understanding of the local community's needs, concerns, and aspirations. The Council's decision-making process heavily relied on how well bidders could align their proposals with the city's broader goals of sustainability, economic growth, and social equity, as outlined in the One Coventry Plan and the draft Climate Change & Sustainability Strategy.

The Role of Commonplace

E.ON leveraged Commonplace to engage with Coventry’s residents, businesses, and key stakeholders. This platform allowed E.ON to gather valuable insights and data, which were instrumental in shaping their bid to meet the specific needs and aspirations of the community. The platform facilitated the following key activities:

1. Community Engagement and Feedback Collection:
   • Commonplace enabled E.ON to conduct extensive community consultations, reaching 2,461 visitors during the engagement period from May 2023 to April 2024.
   • The platform allowed E.ON to collect detailed feedback on various aspects of the proposed energy projects, including concerns about carbon emissions, energy costs, and the need for sustainable infrastructure.
   • The gathered data provided E.ON with a clear understanding of local priorities, such as the importance of zero-carbon buildings, sustainable transport options, and resilient energy infrastructure.
2. Intelligence Gathering:
   • The insights gained through Commonplace were crucial in tailoring E.ON's proposal to align with the Council's vision of a green, sustainable, and economically vibrant Coventry.
   • The platform helped E.ON identify specific areas where their expertise could add value, such as electrifying transportation, enhancing energy efficiency, and increasing the adoption of renewable energy sources.
   • By understanding the community’s expectations, E.ON was able to propose projects that not only addressed immediate energy needs but also contributed to long-term social value.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Buy-In:
   • Commonplace facilitated meaningful dialogue between E.ON and key stakeholders, including local businesses, public organizations, and residents.
   • This engagement ensured that the proposed projects had broad support, which was crucial for the Council when evaluating bids based on social value and community impact.
   • The platform also allowed E.ON to demonstrate a commitment to public awareness and behavioral change initiatives, aligning with the Council's goals of promoting sustainable energy use and transport.

Outcome

E.ON's strategic use of Commonplace was instrumental in winning the contract with Coventry City Council. The data-driven insights and community feedback collected through the platform enabled E.ON to craft a proposal that resonated with the Council's objectives and the community's needs. The contract will see E.ON and the Council work together over the next 15 years to revolutionize Coventry's energy infrastructure, with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions.

Conclusion

The case of E.ON’s successful bid for Coventry’s strategic energy partnership illustrates the power of community engagement in large-scale public projects. By using Commonplace, E.ON was able to gather essential intelligence, build community support, and develop a proposal that not only met but exceeded the expectations of Coventry City Council. This approach not only secured a £2 billion contract but also positioned Coventry as a leader in the UK’s green energy transition, setting a precedent for how digital engagement can drive success in public-private partnerships.