Record £107m for energy-saving public sector projects
Prosiectau arbed ynni yn y sector cyhoeddus yn cael £107m - mwy nag erioed
The Welsh Government Energy Service (WGES) provided a record £107.7 million in grant funding to help public sector organisations deliver energy efficient projects across Wales.
WGES ensures that public sector organisations in Wales are leading the charge on the journey to net zero by providing grant funding through a number of schemes to help reduce the cost of energy efficiency projects.
This record level of investment was announced in the Energy Service 2024-25 annual report, with WGES providing grant funding to support 233 projects across 45 organisations, including local authorities, health boards, universities, fire services and national cultural institutions.
Projects include the installation of air source heat pumps, electric fleet vehicles and charging points, rooftop solar panels and energy efficient lighting.
The investment represents a step-change in Wales' clean energy ambitions and will deliver substantial environmental benefits, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 28,487 tonnes of CO2e – equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of approximately 10,000 UK homes.
Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, recently visited Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Denbighshire. The school received more than £185,000 in grant funding through the Welsh Government’s Low Carbon Heat Grant in 2023 to install heat pumps and solar panels, saving the school an estimated 28 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The Deputy First Minister said:
“Ysgol Brynhyfryd's impressive journey towards net zero deserves to be championed. This exemplary project showcases the power of collaboration between the school, Denbighshire Council and the Welsh Government Energy Service, and demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together with clear purpose and determination."
"It's encouraging to see the impact our grant funding is having across the public sector. We’re committed to building on this momentum - not only with renewable energy and building efficiency improvements like heat pumps and solar panels, but also in areas such as sustainable transport.”
Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, said:
"I'm thrilled to see our public sector organisations in Wales leading the charge in cutting carbon emissions while also making such significant cost savings for taxpayers.
"This record level of investment demonstrates our commitment to building a cleaner, more resilient Wales for generations to come."
Notes to editors
The Welsh Government Energy Service report is published here: Energy service: impact report 2024 to 2025 | GOV.WALES
What WGES supported and where in 2024-25
In 2024-25, £107.7 million was secured in funding for energy efficiency, renewable energy, low carbon heat and zero emission fleet projects (supporting to financial close**):
- 4 projects for 2 colleges
- 8 projects for 4 community enterprises
- 12 projects for 3 fire and rescue services
- 6 projects for 5 health boards and trusts
- 188 projects for 22 local authorities
- 3 projects for 2 national parks
- 2 projects for Natural Resources Wales
- 2 projects for National Museum Wales
- 8 projects for 5 universities
The Welsh Government Energy Service supports public sector and community groups at every stage in the project development pipeline.
Alongside the projects that reached financial close, we supported large-scale strategic renewables projects to meet key stage gates last year. We secured planning permission for six renewable projects with energy generation capacity of 28.59MW.
Over the coming years, these projects will boost renewable energy capacity across Wales, as well as a local ownership contribution to an investment of £24.1m.