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Our prime drivers are tackling climate change, job creation, retaining wealth in the Welsh economy and engaging people in energy. The funding from the Development Bank of Wales has enabled us to accelerate our programme of installations across south Wales; tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions right at the very heart of our local communities.
Dan McCallum, Director, Egni Co-op
In 2013, Egni Co-op was established by Awel Aman Tawe (AAT), who have 20 years’ experience of researching, developing and delivering renewable energy projects at a local level.
A community renewable energy charity based in Neath Port Talbot, south Wales, they’ve undertaken key projects across Wales that are tackling climate change, creating jobs, retaining wealth in the Welsh economy and engaging people in energy.
Egni worked with Newport, Swansea and Pembrokeshire Councils to support the local authorities’ efforts to become carbon net zero by 2030. Here’s how finance from the Development Bank is supporting Egni Co-op on its mission to deliver successful renewable energy projects across the country.
Egni used the funding to deliver solar panel installations on more than 100 premises including community buildings, businesses and schools across south Wales. Over 4MWp (the unit of measurement for the output of power from a source such as solar or wind where the output may vary according to the strength of sunlight or wind speed) has already been installed, making it the largest rooftop solar co-ops in the UK.
They already hold the title for largest rooftop solar installation in Wales thanks to their work on the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport, which has more than 2,000 panels.
The installation of renewables on these sites saves more than £100k in electricity costs each year and 1,000 tonnes in carbon emissions, with all surpluses going to energy education projects in schools.
Energy co-operatives offer opportunities for communities to forward green ambitions and benefit from low-cost energy.
Dan McCallum, Egni Director and Manager of Awel Aman Tawe, said: “Our prime drivers are tackling climate change, job creation, retaining wealth in the Welsh economy and engaging people in energy.
“The funding from the Development Bank of Wales enabled us to accelerate our programme of installations across south Wales; tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions right at the very heart of our local communities.”
Helping build a sustainable future
Over the past couple of years, Egni has installed solar panels across almost 90 buildings in Wales, including several schools in south and west Wales.
All the schools also received £500 of shares in Egni Co-op and students can use an online portal to learn more about renewable energy, the Co-op and a cooperative approach in tackling climate change
Education is a key aspect of Egni’s work; partnered with Energy Sparks – an energy focused charity – they deliver an educational program to local authorities to help get children interested in solar and renewables.
Wales’ drive towards local ownership of renewable energy was in response to the climate emergency and comes amid concerns of escalating living costs and global energy security.
The project overall was projected to save 3,700 tonnes of carbon and realise significant savings on electricity bills, and Egni has pledged to reinvest surplus money from energy sold back to the grid into further climate change education.
Dan McCallum from Egni Co-op said:
“Egni is already the largest rooftop solar co-op in the UK which shows how a cooperative approach can enable Wales to achieve great things.
“It’s vital that co-op based renewable energy scales up rapidly. Renewables are the energy of freedom and Welsh people deserve a future free from fossil fuels.”
Lee Waters MS, Deputy Climate Change Minister, said, “With each IPCC report, the reality of the climate emergency hits home, and we want Wales to play its part in the global response by hitting Net Zero by 2050. To meet that target, we have got to increase the amount of green energy we generate five-fold in the next 30 years.
“Community-owned energy builds local energy resilience through cleaner, greener means – vital in our efforts to reach a Net Zero Wales by 2050, and help schools, hospitals and communities protect themselves against rising living costs.”
Supporting businesses to become more sustainable
The Development Bank’s committed to addressing the climate change emergency and supporting the Welsh Government’s Net Zero strategy.
Our finance can help businesses in Wales invest in becoming more sustainable and support their transition to becoming carbon neutral. We offer loans and equity to companies who develop and provide innovative green products and services in Wales.
Support and links
We support our customers to improve and reduce their environmental impact by working closely with Business Wales. Their specialist sustainability advisers offer support on grants, renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and the Green Growth Pledge.
