Energy efficiency work across Denbighshire schools is tackling budget pressures by helping to reduce costs.

Denbighshire County Council’s energy team is working on several projects to help improve council building energy efficiency and support the reduction of carbon emissions and usage costs over the longer term.

The work is part of the council’s drive to continue reducing the carbon footprint of the county following the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency in 2019.

The team has reached a landmark of more than a megawatt of installed renewable energy capacity (1099kWp). The majority of this energy is generated from roof mounted solar PV panels and is enough to power 364 homes.

The team has worked on more than 30 schools using funding from the council’s energy management and climate change budget and from Welsh Government via the Low Carbon Heat Grant and Capital Funding Grant to support capital maintenance and energy management.

Work has included the introduction of air source heat pumps, PV solar panels on building roofs, installation of LED lighting, improved heating controls, upgraded heating systems and energy related behaviour change through engagement with site staff and lessons on energy efficiency for pupils.

Robert Jones, Principal Energy Manager, said:

“We are really grateful to everyone at the schools we have worked with for helping us carry out this important work for tackling the reduction of carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency across the council’s school building portfolio.

“This is a substantial amount of work that will also support the lowering of long-term energy usage costs for the schools and we look forward to continuing to work at other educational sites across the county to help them.”