Newport schoolchildren to benefit from new solar energy on their rooftops
We’re supporting Welsh primary schools as they tap into Great British Energy funding
Newport primary schoolchildren are celebrating their solar project as part of £9 million funding to decarbonise public buildings and reduce energy bills.
The funding is being provided by Great British Energy, the UK Government’s publicly owned energy company, with the Welsh Government overseeing delivery of the funding in Wales.
Glan Llyn Primary School and Jubilee Park Primary School have both benefited from funding under the Wales Funding Programme. The loans on each project will pay back in under ten years.
Glan Llyn has also received funding for battery storage from Welsh Government’s Ynni Cymru fund, making the site a functioning Smart Local Energy System. These systems help communities increase energy efficiency and sustainability.
The Wales Funding Programme is delivered by our teams at Salix, and the council will work closely with our teams to ensure the projects are achieved.
Wales programme manager for Salix Gbenga Adenaike said: “Putting solar panels on school roofs is one of the smartest investments that can be made.
“With support from the Welsh Government and Great British Energy as well as ourselves at Salix, schools can cut their energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and reinvest savings directly into pupils and classrooms.”
Jubilee Park is expected to make carbon savings of around 10 tonnes CO2e per year. Glan Llyn is expected also to cut its carbon footprint by around 71 tonnes CO2e.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning for Welsh Government, Rebecca Evans, said: “We are on a clean energy mission to deliver a net zero public sector by 2030 and make Wales greener, stronger and ready for the future.
“Solar panels on these two Newport primary schools will see their energy bills fall as part of our efforts to transform community energy in Wales.
“This funding from Great British Energy is a testament to the shared priority of the UK and Welsh Governments to tackle climate change and maximise the benefits for communities.”
Great British Energy is helping schools in Wales to cut their energy bills with clean, homegrown solar power - meaning more money can be spent on children’s education. This is our clean energy mission in action, supporting public services through lower bills for communities in Newport and across the UK.
Glan Llyn Primary School opened in September 2019 and was established on a growing school basis to support the growing Glan Llyn housing development in the East of Newport and sits within the Lliswerry cluster of primary schools.
Jubilee Park Primary School opened in September 2017 and serves the Rogerstone are of Newport.
Councillor Yvonne Forsey, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling at Newport City Council, said: “Every penny counts for our schools, and these projects will make a very real difference to our schools and the communities they serve.
“Solar panels on school roofs not only generate clean energy and cut running costs but they help our children learn about sustainability and climate action.
“This is about the future, and the future is about them.”