Welsh schools to get solar panels under £9m programme

Schools across Wales are to receive solar panels under a £9m programme intended to cut energy bills and support decarbonisation efforts. 

The funding has been allocated by Great British Energy, the UK government’s publicly owned energy company, with delivery overseen by the Welsh government.

Projects worth up to £4m will be supported through the Wales Funding Programme to develop solar photovoltaic systems on, or connected to, public buildings. Early recipients include Coleg Cambria in Wrexham, Porthcawl Comprehensive School, and Glan Llyn and Jubilee Park primary schools in Newport.

The remaining funding will support wider renewable investment, including a new scheme called Ymestyn. The programme will provide gap funding for public-sector bodies and community groups to expand the scope of their decarbonisation work, such as installing solar canopies or renewable-integrated battery storage. Further details are expected in the coming weeks.

Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, said: “We are driving towards a net zero public sector by 2030, and this funding will help us get even closer. Thanks to this funding, organisations across Wales will see their energy bills falling in a matter of months.

“I’m looking forward to the start of the Ymestyn scheme, which will make some exciting decarbonisation projects a reality as we continue to tackle the climate emergency.”

Michael Shanks, energy minister in the UK government, added: “Great British Energy is empowering communities in Wales to take a stake in their own energy.

“This is our clean energy superpower mission in action – putting communities in the driving seat of energy generation and making sure working people and local businesses profit.”