A green energy revolution is underway in community sport in Wales, with solar panels now a common sight on clubhouses across the country, thanks to funding from Sport Wales.
A total of 80 sports clubs across the country received energy savings grants in 2023/24 to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities.
The majority of clubs receiving grants totaling around £1.4 million will use the funds to install solar panels, as well as improve insulation, upgrade heating systems and sustainably source water. I plan to.
From Anglesey to Barry, solar panels are being embraced as an advanced way for clubs to reduce their energy bills and become financially sustainable while helping the environment.
In February, Sport Wales announced details of nearly £1 million being distributed to 58 clubs who successfully applied for energy savings grants. A further 22 clubs were added to that list this week after being awarded an additional £362,147.
Clubs could apply for grants of up to £25,000.
Brian Davies, chief executive of Sport Wales, said: “Many sports clubs with facilities are really feeling the impact of the recent rise in utility costs, so they will be reducing their costs during the current financial year. We are delighted to be able to support the 80 Club.”
“These energy saving measures mean the club's energy bills will be significantly reduced, making it more financially sustainable in the future. It helps us to be able to continue to deliver.
“The climate emergency is also a matter of deep concern to us, so the Energy Savings Grant is a welcome measure to reduce the carbon footprint of Welsh sport.
“Each club applying for a grant had to conduct an energy study to determine the best use of the funds. For example, installing a new heating system in a clubhouse with old windows and poor insulation. It makes no sense.
“We have learned a lot ourselves in this process, but demand from clubs for these grants has been very high. We are therefore happy to once again use the funding allocated to Sport Wales by the Welsh Government. , we are pleased to confirm that we will have a further £1.5m of energy savings grants available for clubs to apply for in the new financial year.”
Brian added: “Details on how clubs can apply for the grant will be published shortly on our website and social media channels.”
Leslie Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, said: “I am delighted that this funding will be allocated to a wide range of sports clubs across the country. With living and business costs remaining high, it is important that we continue to support sports clubs to ensure they are financially sustainable into the future. , it is important that sports clubs contribute to their local communities and keep people active.”
Menai Bridge Cricket Club is among the 47 clubs using the funds to install solar panels. They are the only cricket club on Anglesey and will use the £21,055 grant to fund solar panels and triple glazing for the club's pavilion.
Bedwas and Trethomas Bowls Club in Caerphilly estimates it will save a whopping £74,000 over 25 years with a £9,756 grant to buy solar panels and batteries.
Mold Golf Club is also included in the list of latest grant recipients. Last year, the club installed solar panels and achieved significant energy savings, but at the same time they did not have enough surplus to utilize the battery storage they had purchased.
Now, thanks to a £13,666 energy savings grant, the club will install a further 16 panels, doubling its battery storage. They plan to use the excess energy to charge eight golf buggies used daily by members and visitors. Their grant will also allow them to replace their lighting with energy-efficient LEDs.
Swansea's Penran RFC is using an £11,600 grant to implement a number of energy-saving improvements to modernize its 43-year-old clubhouse. New doors and windows were installed to better conserve heat, and new LED light fixtures and a new ground source heat pump both reduce energy bills.
