Carbon Reduction Initiatives Given The Go Ahead

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet have recently approved recommendations to allocate funding earmarked carbon reduction initiatives. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This includes £100,000 towards Photo Voltaic solar panel systems and £4,000 towards installing electric vehicle charging points at Penallta House and at Tir-Y-Berth Depot. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Photo Voltaic systems have been installed in a total of 21 schools since 2009, with this new funding secured to install systems on a further 20 schools within the borough. The systems will provide a saving of around £8,000 in electricity costs per year, as well as 38 tonnes of CO2 The Photo voltaic systems will bring educational opportunities to the schools, allowing them to incorporate renewable technology and energy efficiency into the curriculum, supporting their Eco School work under the Eco School Energy topic area and their work on Educating for Sustainable Development & Global Citizenship. Schools can reap the benefits of solar power, look at energy supply and reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprint, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The installation of electric vehicle charging points at Penallta House and Tir-Y-Berth Depot, as well as the lease of 4 electric vehicles to be used by the Meals on Wheels Service and Countryside Service, together with an electric pool car will provide an overall annual saving of £3,872. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development said: “The allocation of funds towards carbon reduction initiatives by Caerphilly County Borough Council is evidence of the Council’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development, which forms part of the Council’s work on the Well-Being of Future Generations Act. The cost of installing 2 charging points will be paid back and will provide both financial and carbon dioxide savings. The installation of Photo Voltaic systems will also reap fantastic benefits, with a saving of approximately £400 per year in electricity costs at each school site”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​