Wales is about to put solar on the roof of its public estate as £9m of funding lands to cut bills and accelerate decarbonisation across schools and community buildings.
The cash comes from Great British Energy and marks one of its first major interventions in Wales with the UK and Welsh Governments working together on delivery.
The money will fund up to £4m of new solar PV projects on public buildings through the Wales Funding Programme. Early recipients include Coleg Cambria in Wrexham, Porthcawl Comprehensive, Glan Llyn Primary in Newport and Jubilee Park Primary also in Newport with more sites to follow.
The remaining funding will back a new scheme called Ymestyn, designed to help councils and community groups push for more ambitious projects such as solar canopies or integrated battery storage. These are the tougher, higher impact schemes that often stall without extra support.
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said the funding drives Wales “towards a net zero public sector by 2030” and will deliver falling energy bills “in a matter of months”.
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said Great British Energy is “empowering communities in Wales to take a stake in their own energy” and putting people “in the driving seat of energy generation”.
With Ymestyn set to unlock more complex renewables and solar set to roll out across the country’s schools this package marks a step change in how Wales powers the public sector.
Welsh schools get solar help from GB Energy appeared first on Energy Live News.