Anglesey Council will significantly reduce its carbon footprint over the coming years, thanks to an ambitious energy efficiency work programme.
The Council recently lent its support to the Welsh Government's climate emergency declaration and realising a Carbon Neutral Public Sector by 2030.
However, its commitment to tackling climate change has already been ongoing for some time. Last year, Anglesey became the first county in the UK to be awarded 'plastic free' community status by the marine conservation group, Surfers Against Sewage. Some 98% of its 10,000 streetlights have also been converted to LED which consume less energy.
Now, the first phase of its RE:FIT programme which has seen extensive energy efficiency schemes across the Island is nearing completion.
An interest-free loan secured from the Wales Funding Programme has led to the installation of energy efficiency measures such as solar PV, LED lighting and improved heating systems in schools, leisure centres, libraries, care homes, offices and other buildings.
The investment targeted at tackling climate change will see Anglesey reduce its carbon footprint by almost 1,000 tCO2e (tonnes of Greenhouse Gas equivalent) a year as well as generating an annual saving of £291,000.
Council Leader, Councillor Llinos Medi, said, “We have made enormous improvements to the energy efficiency of many of our schools, leisure centres and other buildings. This investment together with the environmental benefits it brings emphasises our real commitment to reducing Anglesey’s carbon footprint and responding to the climate emergency declared by Welsh Government.”
“It’s fitting that the first phase of our RE:FIT programme nears completion as we celebrate Wales Climate Week. I’m also pleased to announce that an initial assessment of more buildings - including another 19 schools - is also underway as we prepare for phase two of the works programme.”
An important measure within the RE:FIT programme will also include installing a new high efficiency ventilation and heating system for the pool at Amlwch Leisure Centre. The old inefficient oil-fired boilers will be replaced with electric air source heat pumps to ensure significant reductions in energy costs and carbon emission. This will contribute to the Welsh Government’s aspiration for the public sector to decarbonise its heating needs.
Anglesey’s Head of Highways, Waste and Property, Huw Percy, who sits on the County Council’s Climate Change Working Group, added, “We’re doing a lot of good work across all services in relation to climate change. From electric cars to new housing projects and flood defence schemes – reducing our carbon footprint has become a fundamental part of all that we do now.”
“Our current RE:FIT works will see the County Council reduce its carbon footprint by almost 1,000 tCO2e (tonnes of Greenhouse Gas equivalent) a year – and future projects will help us contribute further to helping to public sector become carbon neutral by 2030.”
Ends 6.11.20
Notes to Editors:
Welsh Government is supporting public sector bodies in Wales to make their buildings and assets more energy efficient. RE:FIT Cymru enables the Welsh public sector to secure guaranteed savings and reduce carbon impacts by accessing Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs). The RE:FIT Cymru scheme uses the robust and proven UK Re:fit Framework which was established in 2008-9.