Severn Wye Energy Agency

Low Carbon
Communities POWYS

Background

Low Carbon Communities is a 30 month project funded under the Rural Development Plan for Wales. 80% of the overall funding comes from the European Union and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Climate change impacts everyone but those least able to adapt are those with restricted incomes and those that rely upon a stable climate for their livelihood.

The project seeks to encourage all people and businesses in the community to engage with providing solutions to the problem of climate change

Aims

The Low Carbon Communities project is working with three community groups in Powys, Mid Wales, to encourage and promote renewable energy and energy efficiency within the home and the business. The groups are Llanidloes Energy Solutions, Talgarth Mill Green Energy Project Group and Transition Town Rhayader Group.

The three communities will each install a community owned and operated renewable technology. It is expected that most of the installations will be hydro.

Locally generated pollution free energy and energy efficiency are essential ingredients of a modern competitive economy, particularly one that seeks to minimise demand on the environment.

Activities

Project Officers will be employed in each community on a part time basis to coordinate activities. The project will commence with feasibility studies and consultations being carried out in all three communities to identify the best sites to locate the installations. All the necessary consents will then be obtained. The process will remain flexible in order to enable alternative sites and technologies to be used if necessary. The installations will provide a focus for initial activity and for the engagement of the whole community. Revenue from these installations will be managed by the groups and used for further renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

The Project Officers in each community will raise awareness and encourage involvement in the project and the move away from carbon-intensive fuels. The activities undertaken will develop community cohesion and shared pride in the drive towards a low carbon economy.

The project will culminate in a conference open to all, but aimed primarily at Powys communities. The conference will provide a platform for the dissemination of experience, and knowledge arising out of this project.

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