Newport primary schools benefit from Great British Energy funding

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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Two primary schools in Newport have secured solar panel installations as part of a £9 million programme aimed at decarbonising public buildings and reducing energy costs.

Glan Llyn Primary School and Jubilee Park Primary School are among the beneficiaries of funding from Great British Energy, with delivery overseen in Wales by the Welsh Government under its Wales Funding Programme.

The investment forms part of wider efforts to transition public sector buildings toward cleaner energy sources while easing financial pressures on schools.

At Glan Llyn, additional support from the Welsh Government’s Ynni Cymru fund has enabled the installation of battery storage, creating a fully functioning Smart Local Energy System designed to improve efficiency and sustainability at a community level.

Jubilee Park Primary School is forecast to reduce carbon emissions by around 10 tonnes of CO2e annually, while Glan Llyn could cut its carbon footprint by approximately 71 tonnes each year.

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “We are on a clean energy mission to deliver a net zero public sector by 2030 and make Wales greener, stronger and ready for the future.

“Solar panels on these two Newport primary schools will cut costs and carbon, as part of our efforts to transform community energy in Wales.

“The funding from Great British Energy, delivered by Welsh Government, is a testament to the shared priority of the UK and Welsh governments to tackle climate change and maximise the benefits for communities.”

UK Government Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Great British Energy is helping schools in Wales to cut their energy bills with clean, homegrown solar power – meaning more money can be spent on children’s education.

“This is our clean energy mission in action, supporting public services through lower bills for communities in Newport and across the UK.”

Gbenga Adenaike, Wales programme manager for Salix Finance, said: “Putting solar panels on school roofs is one of the smartest investments that can be made.

“With support from the Welsh Government and Great British Energy, as well as ourselves at Salix, schools can cut their energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and reinvest savings directly into pupils and classrooms.”

Councillor Yvonne Forsey, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling at Newport City Council, added: “Every penny counts for our schools, and these projects will make a very real difference to our schools and the communities they serve.

“Solar panels on school roofs not only generate clean energy and cut running costs but they help our children learn about sustainability and climate action.

“This is about the future, and the future is about them.”