Solar boost powers greener future for Porthcawl pupils
Welsh Government and GB Energy supported scheme delivered by Salix to cut carbon, to save more than £8,500 a year and support children’s learning
Classrooms in Bridgend are set to become greener, more energy efficient and cheaper to run thanks to new investment supporting children’s education and Wales’ journey to net zero.
Pupils at Porthcawl Comprehensive School are already benefitting from a new solar energy system at their Bridgend site, helping to power lessons and sports activities with clean, renewable electricity while cutting long-term costs.
The project sees a new 60kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed on the south-facing roof of the school’s sports hall.
Funding for the project has been secured through the Wales Funding Programme, making use of the Great British Energy funds that are available to renewable energy projects.
The roof, scheduled for replacement, offers the ideal opportunity for solar panels to be fitted while scaffolding is already in place - reducing installation costs and risk. The solar installation is a separate and additional project to the roof works.
Once operational, the system is expected to generate around 52,317kWh of clean electricity each year. Around 78 per cent of that energy will be used directly by the school, cutting overall electricity demand by 10 per cent, the equivalent of saving more than nine tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
The move is also expected to deliver direct financial benefits for pupils. The project is forecast to save approximately £8,538 every year on energy bills - money that can instead be reinvested into teaching, facilities and resources that benefit children.
Headteacher at Porthcawl Comprehensive School Michael Stephens said: “This is fantastic news for our pupils and wider school community. Reducing our energy costs means we can protect more of our budget, for teaching and learning, while also showing our young people that we are serious about tackling climate change.
“The solar installation will not only make our school more sustainable, but it will also provide real-life learning opportunities around renewable energy and the environment.”
The scheme has been developed by the local authority’s energy manager in consultation with corporate landlord and education teams, with support from the school’s governing body.
This project is a brilliant example of what we can achieve when we invest in clean, renewable energy. Not only will it cut carbon emissions and save the school thousands of pounds every year, but it will also give young people a front-row seat to the energy transition happening right across Wales and the UK. The funding from Great British Energy, delivered by Welsh Government, is a testament to the shared priority of the UK and Welsh governments to tackle climate change and maximise the benefits for communities.”
Wales programme manager for Salix Gbenga Adenaike added: “Schools are at the heart of our communities, and it’s vital they are supported to become more energy efficient and resilient to rising energy costs.
“By funding projects like this at Porthcawl Comprehensive School, we are helping to cut carbon emissions, lower bills and create warmer, greener places for children to learn. It’s a practical step towards Wales’ wider net zero ambitions.”
The initiative forms part of the wider Net Zero Wales commitments set by the Welsh Government, which aim to reduce carbon emissions across the public sector and transition towards net-zero operational carbon in schools.
Key elements of the journey include improving energy performance in buildings, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, increasing on-site renewable electricity generation and supporting Wales’ commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.