New InnovateUK Competition aims to bring Local Smart Grids to south west Wales

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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CWM Environmental has launched a new innovation challenge aimed at accelerating low-carbon energy solutions in South West Wales, building on momentum from a £14m regional funding boost delivered through the Net Zero Industry Launchpad pilot.

The company’s Innovation Exchange (iX) challenge, backed by Innovate UK, is seeking proposals for a Smart Local Energy System (SLES) or microgrid feasibility study at the Nantycaws Circular Economy Park.

The initiative is designed to explore how local energy generation, storage and intelligent management can reduce reliance on the grid while addressing import and export constraints.

The move follows the success of the wider pilot programme, which has already channelled more than £14m of combined public and private investment into small innovators across the region.

CWM Environmental is now aiming to build on that progress by supporting practical, site-specific solutions.

The selected solution provider will receive up to £25,000 in Innovate UK grant funding to deliver a three-month feasibility study through the iX programme.

Applications opened on 26 March 2026 and are due to close on 6 May 2026.

The study will examine opportunities not only to optimise energy use on-site but also to supply power to nearby organisations and the local community. It will also consider enabling infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging, including provision for Public Service Board users.

The challenge forms part of a broader push to foster collaboration between industry and innovators, with the Net Zero Industry Launchpad scheme focused on accelerating decarbonisation across key sectors in South West Wales.

It comes shortly after a separate regional success, which saw a consortium led by Neath Port Talbot Council, with support from Net Zero Industry Wales, secure funding through the £500m Local Innovation Partnership Fund.

The programme will support 17 projects across the UK.

CWM Environmental has already been advancing its own sustainability credentials at the Nantycaws site.

In 2025, the company diverted more than 25,000 tonnes of general waste from landfill, processed a further 25,000 tonnes of green waste into compost and generated 480,000 kWh of renewable energy via its on-site wind turbine.

It has also developed more than 20 acres of biodiversity and wildflower zones to support pollinators and improve local ecology.

Sean Gallagher at CWM Environmental said: “We see this as a strong, delivery-focused step that complements the wider CWM Gwyrdd programme.

“It supports industrial resilience, energy security and scalable net zero innovation in South West Wales – which is critical to the region and nation becoming a leader in energy innovation and circular economy practices.”