Energy-saving grants deliver £5.4m boost to Welsh sports clubs

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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Sports clubs across Wales have shared more than £5.4 million in government-backed funding aimed at cutting energy costs and improving sustainability.

The Energy Saving Grants scheme, run by Sport Wales and funded by the Welsh Government, has supported hundreds of clubs since launching in 2023, enabling upgrades ranging from solar panels and improved heating systems to insulation and sustainable water solutions.

The programme has awarded 307 grants worth around £5.4 million to 280 clubs across every local authority area in Wales, spanning sports including bowls, boxing, cycling, skateboarding and cricket.

Clubs can apply for up to £25,000 to fund energy-efficiency improvements, with 120 awards worth approximately £2.1 million made this year alone.

On average, supported clubs are saving around £3,000 annually while offsetting 3.3 tonnes of carbon emissions each, contributing to an estimated combined annual saving of £840,000 and more than 840 tonnes of carbon offset across all funded organisations.

Projects funded through the scheme include LED lighting upgrades (excluding playing lights), solar panels and battery storage, insulation improvements, heating and hot water system replacements, and sustainable water sourcing.

Welsh Government Minister for Sport Jack Sargeant visited Llay Miners Welfare Institute in Wrexham this week to see the impact of the funding first-hand.

The Grade II-listed venue, home to Llay Miners Welfare Football Club, previously received £25,000 to install solar panels and a new heating system.

Due to conservation and planning restrictions linked to the building’s listed status, improving energy efficiency presented challenges, but the upgrades have now been completed.

Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Sport, said: “Sport brings communities together and it’s vital our clubs can continue to do that for generations to come.

“This funding is helping organisations across Wales become more sustainable, reduce their running costs and focus on what they do best – getting people out and active.

“Visiting Llay Miners it was great to see first-hand how these grants are making a real difference.

“From solar panels to modern heating systems, clubs are finding innovative ways to cut their energy bills while doing their bit for the environment.

“The figures on savings and carbon offsetting speak for themselves. I’d encourage any club thinking about making energy-saving improvements to apply when the scheme reopens in May.”

Kerri Crewe, Chair of Trustees at Llay Miners Welfare Institute, added: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this grant, which has enabled us to install solar panels on the main institute and a new heating system in the pavilion.

“Both buildings are vital community assets, but as large facilities they are expensive to run. Our previous boiler in the pavilion was unreliable and frequently breaking down, creating unexpected costs and disruption.

“This funding has made a transformational difference – reducing our energy bills, improving reliability, and helping to secure a more sustainable future for both buildings.”

Elsewhere, Gorseinon Cricket Club in Swansea has used funding to introduce rainwater harvesting systems, helping reduce operating costs while conserving water.

The system allows pitches to be irrigated without treated tap water, supporting the club’s aim to become more environmentally responsible.

Brian Davies, Chief Executive of Sport Wales, said: “We are proud to help clubs protect their futures as energy bills continue to rise, which allows them to remain central to people’s lives, leading to a lifelong enjoyment of sport.

“The grants awarded to clubs in Wales to improve their sustainability measures will consequently also help protect the environment.

“Energy Saving Grants are benefiting clubs across Wales by cutting energy costs and reducing carbon emissions, so that the savings are reinvested back into local sport for future generations.”