Powys schools light the way with energy-saving upgrades
Energy-saving lighting upgrades are helping Powys schools reduce costs, cut carbon and create brighter learning environments for pupils and staff.
Schools across Powys are benefiting from brighter, more efficient learning environments as Powys County Council continues its programme of energy-saving improvements across the county's education estate.
The work forms part of the council's wider decarbonisation programme and has been supported through the Wales Funding Programme, delivered by Salix. The fund helps public sector organisations across Wales invest in energy efficiency and low-carbon projects.
The first phase focused on larger school sites and priority schools, where outdated fluorescent lighting has been replaced with modern LED systems. Classrooms, halls and external areas were prioritised to maximise energy savings, reduce carbon emissions and lower long-term maintenance costs.
The scheme has been designed to deliver both financial and environmental benefits, helping schools reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance requirements and cut carbon emissions.
Alongside the LED upgrades, emergency lighting has also been improved at a number of schools. Additional fittings have been installed in key areas and along escape routes, helping to enhance safety during power outages or emergency situations.
A boost for learning
The benefits extend beyond energy efficiency.
Brighter classrooms and shared spaces are helping create more welcoming teaching and learning environments, with positive feedback received from school leaders about the impact on both pupils and staff.
It's fantastic that this project not only improves learning environments, reduces energy costs and cuts carbon emissions, but also helps pupils learn about sustainability in a practical way. By seeing these improvements first-hand, young people can better understand how the choices we make today can help create a greener future for Powys. Every LED light we install is a practical step towards our Route Map to Net Zero, but it also highlights the scale of the challenge we face to reduce carbon emissions in buildings and services spread across a large rural county.
Looking ahead
Further phases of the programme are now underway, with surveys taking place at remaining school sites and additional decarbonisation measures being explored, including solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and air source heat pumps.
Building on the success of the programme so far, the council is progressing future projects to improve efficiency, deliver value for money and maximise the benefits of further decarbonisation investments across the school estate.
To stay up to date on future funding opportunities and programme updates, keep an eye on the Wales section of the Salix website and latest news. For any questions about funding programmes in Wales, please contact the Wales team at [email protected]
