£8 million boost for low carbon heat projects in South Wales
Hundreds of homes and buildings across South Wales are set to benefit from an £8 million government boost in a bid to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
The funding will be used to provide properties across Cardiff and Bridgend with low carbon energy from new heat network projects which could cut emissions by up to 80%, saving 18,000 tonnes of CO2 over the next ten years – the equivalent of planting 7,000 trees.
The funding will develop a new system of distribution pipes taking excess heat from a central source such as energy generated from waste in Cardiff, and a Combined Heat and Power plant with thermal storage facility in Bridgend. These sources will then supply heat to public buildings within the town and city centre, and can easily connect to new, lower carbon heat sources in the future.
The new networks will be future-proofed to ensure that businesses and households across South Wales can connect to the system in years to come, helping to provide cheaper and greener energy. The new projects are part of the UK Government’s Heat Networks Investment Project, a £320 million fund to support the construction of heat networks across England and Wales.
Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth Kwasi Kwarteng said: “These projects will help connect as many local homes and businesses as possible to low-carbon affordable heating, helping people save money on energy bills. By connecting public buildings up to heat networks, councils and leisure centres can reinvest the money saved on energy bills into frontline services in a way that achieves our goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart added: “Heat networks form an important part of the UK Government’s plan to reduce carbon emissions and cut heating bills for consumers. This investment will help heat hundreds of homes and buildings using cheaper, greener energy. It also marks another step forward for our ambitious Clean Growth Strategy and moves us closer to our target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
