Region could lead way to self-sufficient Wales

SELF-HEATING houses and a wave energy test bed would help Swansea Bay City Region cut its carbon footprint and be an example to Wales, Swansea’s council leader has said.

Councillor Rob Stewart has welcomed an independent report which looks at what action is needed for Wales to achieve 80% cuts in carbon emissions by 2050.

The Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) report said Wales lagged behind England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in renewable electricity production.

But it said Wales could become self-sufficient in homegrown renewable energy by 2035, partly by using Swansea Bay City Region as a case study.

The £1.3bn City Deal for the region, which comprises Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, has 11 projects backed by public and private funding, to be delivered over the next 15 years, subject to business case sign-offs.

The biggest project (£517m) is building houses which can generate, store, and release electricity and heat. A £2.5m housing estate using this technology has planning consent in Neath.

A £79m Pembroke Dock Marine scheme will create a centre for testing and developing wave and tidal energy.

Mr Stewart said he was hopeful the UK Government would approve the £1.3bn Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

He added that electric vehicle charging points would be installed throughout the region.