Welsh Government Energy Service delivers record £107.7m to drive public sector net zero ambition
Welsh Government Energy Service delivers record £107.7m to drive public sector net zero ambition
Public sector organisations across Wales received a record-breaking £107.7 million in grant funding from the Welsh Government Energy Service (WGES) in 2024–25, supporting hundreds of projects designed to accelerate the country’s path to net zero.
The funding milestone, revealed in WGES’s latest annual report, marks the highest level of public sector energy support ever delivered in Wales and is part of the government’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and carbon reduction.
A total of 233 energy efficiency projects were supported across 45 organisations, including local authorities, NHS health boards, universities, fire services, and national cultural institutions.
Projects funded through the schemes span a wide range of clean energy technologies, including:
- Air source heat pump installations
- Rooftop solar panels
- Electric vehicle fleets and charging infrastructure
- LED lighting upgrades and smart energy systems
According to the Welsh Government, the projects are expected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 28,487 tonnes of CO₂e annually, roughly equivalent to the carbon footprint of 10,000 UK homes.
The investment signals a step-change in Wales’ clean energy ambitions, with the public sector now playing a pivotal role in reducing the country’s carbon output.
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Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, visited Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Denbighshire—one of the key beneficiaries of the funding. The school received over £185,000 through the Low Carbon Heat Grant in 2023, enabling it to install heat pumps and solar panels that are expected to save around 28 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
“Ysgol Brynhyfryd’s impressive journey towards net zero deserves to be championed,” said Irranca-Davies.
“This is a shining example of what we can achieve through collaboration—between schools, councils, and the Welsh Government Energy Service with clear purpose and determination.”
He added that future funding will continue to target not just building upgrades and renewable energy but also sustainable transport initiatives.
Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, applauded the scale and ambition of the programme, noting the dual benefit of carbon reduction and financial savings for public services.
“I’m thrilled to see our public sector leading the charge in cutting carbon while delivering significant cost savings for taxpayers,” said Bryant.
“This record investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to building a cleaner, more resilient Wales for generations to come.”
The Welsh Government has pledged to continue investing in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure as it pursues ambitious climate goals. With strong uptake and clear results from this year’s funding cycle, WGES is expected to remain a cornerstone of the country’s public sector decarbonisation strategy.
