Schools’ energy-saving upgrade is now complete

A YEAR-LONG £1.3m energysaving upgrade across 11 schools in Cardiff has just been completed.

The work is part of Cardiff council’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The latest school initiative aims to cut carbon emissions by up to 20% across 11 sites – Ysgol Bro Edern, Bryn Celyn Primary, Glyncoed Primary, Hywel Dda Primary, Llandaff City Primary, Llanishen High, Mary Immaculate High, Ysgol Plasmawr, St Illtyd’s High, Bishop of Llandaff High, and Ty Gwyn Special School – as well as save an estimated £185,000 a year.

The work is funded through Salix Finance, a UK government-funded organisation which provides interestfree loans to the public sector for energy-efficiency projects.

As part of the project, new energyefficient technology has been installed across the schools including LED lighting upgrades, solar panels, fridge and freezer controls, valve and pipework insulation, as well as new building energy management systems.

Pupils will learn about the benefits of the work – including enhanced lighting levels and health benefits from removing existing fluorescent lighting – during sessions with the schools’ eco teams.

Cardiff’s Cabinet member for education, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: “Schools form some of the largest energy users on our estate so upgrading technologies within them is an important part of our energy reduction strategy.

“In the face of the climate emergency, continuing to invest in these types of projects, continuing to make our energy choices as smart as possible is clearly the right thing to do.”

The work will cut energy consumption and make carbon savings year on year. The Salix Finance loan will be paid back over 10 years from the savings made on energy bills, making the funding self-sufficient, the council said.

“Once the loan is repaid the continued savings will be able to be used for “budget priorities”.

Liam Gillard, Wales programme manager at Salix Finance, said: “The energy-efficiency works that have been installed will significantly benefit the pupils, the staff, the city and of course, the planet.”

The investment is part of Cardiff council’s One Planet Strategy in response to the climate emergency which aims to make the local authority carbon neutral by 2030.

The strategy has also seen a solar farm at Lamby Way, work on a lowcarbon district heating network and planting of thousands of trees across the council area.

Liam Gillard, Wales programme manager at Salix Finance, said: “Working on this important project covering 11 schools, in the capital of Wales, has been brilliant.”