Welsh Government Energy Service publishes 2021-22 annual report

The Energy Service support forms part of a long-term commitment by Welsh Government to deliver a stronger, fairer and greener Wales. It provides technical, commercial and procurement advice to turn energy projects into reality.

Since its launch in 2018, the Energy Service has helped the public sector and community enterprises to secure more than £155 million in investment from a range of sources, for decarbonisation projects across all 22 local authorities in Wales.

Julie James, Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, said: “Since 2018, the Welsh Government Energy Service programme has been making an impact right across Wales. This includes working with the public sector and community enterprises to reduce energy use, generate locally owned, renewable energy and lower carbon emissions.

“We need a Team Wales approach to tackling climate change, one where we all work together and play our part. So, it’s great to see the wide range of support that’s been provided over the past year, helping us to reach our ambition of a Net Zero Wales by 2050.”

Across Wales, 25 organisations received support for new energy efficiency projects, which ranged from LED streetlamp installations to low carbon heating.

The Energy Service helped Anglesey County Council install energy saving measures across 31 buildings including schools, leisure centres and office buildings. These efficiency measures are expected to save the council around £260,000 each year on energy bills.

The Energy Service’s support for renewable energy projects in Wales extends from the concept stage through to financial close and completion, providing help every step of the way to harness Wales’ natural resources and turn public sector and community enterprises’ ideas into reality.

The 2.5MW Graig Fatha wind turbine, erected by Ripple Energy and supported by the Energy Service, is consumer-owned, with over 900 members sharing ownership and benefiting from cheaper energy. Ripple Energy’s community benefit fund also supports people who are in fuel poverty in the surrounding area.

Sarah Merrick, CEO of Ripple Energy, said: “Graig Fatha is the UK’s first ever consumer-owned wind farm. This means that the people who own it get supplied with the low-cost green electricity it generates and as a result, get savings off their electricity bill for its 25-year lifetime. The project aligned really well with Welsh Government’s aim to support locally owned renewable energy in Wales and deliver community benefits as well.”

From funding for electric vehicles to advice on appropriate charging infrastructure, the Energy Service has helped set Wales on the road to zero carbon travel. In 2021-22, a total of £14.6 million was invested in public sector electric vehicles and charge points, of which £1.5 million was grant funded by the Welsh Government. Over the lifetime of these vehicles, this will save 7,300 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to taking 3,100 cars off the road for a year.

The report also details the support provided to each region in Wales to develop their own energy strategies. The Energy Service has collaborated with partners across the public, private and community sectors to build actionable energy strategies that encourage sustainable growth, reduce fuel poverty, and support Welsh Government’s net zero ambitions across Wales.

The full annual report can be accessed on the Welsh Government website. Watch the Annual Report video below.

Welsh Government Energy Service supports community and public sector organisations in Wales to develop energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that will lower carbon emissions and provide cost savings, income generation and wider community benefits.

The service is funded by Welsh Government. It is delivered by a consortium led by Energy Saving Trust and Carbon Trust and supported by Local Partnerships. The consortium also includes Ricardo Energy and Environment, GEP Environmental and GFleet as subcontractors.

Follow the Energy Service on Twitter (@_EnergyService), LinkedIn (Welsh Government Energy Service), or contact the team via email.

Header image credit: Mike Harrison