Funding boost for community renewable energy schemes

Natural Resources Minister, Carl Sargeant has today announced a further £2.2m will be made available via the Local Energy scheme for communities to develop their own renewable energy schemes.

The Minister has also approved a loan of £1.2m to Awel Aman Tawe Ltd to help with the construction of two 2.35MW turbines on Mynydd y Gwrhyd near Pontardawe.

Announcing the funding Carl Sargeant said:

“We are committed to working towards cutting our carbon emissions and developing alternative sources of energy as part of this. We see the future direction for energy as one of local generation and supply, based on renewable sources, and smart storage and local grid management, to provide local benefit.  This funding will help us achieve this.”

The Awel Aman Tawe project is the largest community renewable project in the Welsh Government-supported pipeline of projects, and could be a significant model for community renewable energy in Wales once it is complete. The project aims to put a substantial income stream into the hands of local people to deliver benefits such as helping those in fuel poverty, job creation and training in energy efficiency.

The Minister added:

“Schemes such as the Awel Aman Tawe project, when complete, will not only provide a source of renewable energy but will also bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits to these communities and the surrounding area. I hope more local communities will see what projects like Awel Aman Tawe have done and will come forward with their own plans that we can support.”

Dan McCallum, from Awel Aman Co-op said:

“We were delighted that Bridgend-based Raymond Brown Construction could start work on our community wind farm this week thanks to a £1.2m loan from the Welsh Government. This funding has been matched by our co-op Share Offer which has raised £740k and will bring real benefits to the local community.”