Wales to get £1.5m EU boost for energy efficiency scheme
The initiative, which aims to identify, develop and implement energy management projects in order to reduce carbon emissions and achieve financial savings, will provide support through stakeholder engagement, strategy and project development, procurement, legal support and technical advice, along with access to a UK wide public sector framework and helping deliver the projects.
The Re:fit Cymru programme, which will help firms manage their energy better by subsidising 90 per cent of the cost of installing energy efficiency measures, is set to be backed by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme of the EU, with the Welsh government offering zero percent interest finance on the subsidies, hoped to be paid for by the savings made from the new efficiency measures, once the scheme is implemented.
Carl Sargeant, Natural Resources Minister for Wales, highlights how Re:fit Cymru can help public sector bodies reduce both their revenue expenditure and carbon footprint.
“We know that public bodies often do not have the capacity or specialist knowledge to develop large projects that will reduce energy use, cut energy bills and help deliver Carbon reduction targets. Through Re:fit Cymru they will have access to the right support to help deliver these projects,” he said during a visit to the Radyr Weir Hydro Scheme in Cardiff.
“Cardiff Council has recently been awarded £2.1m from the Invest to Save Green Growth Fund to improve energy efficiency within schools and other public buildings through the Re:fit programme.
“This is precisely the type of project we are attempting to stimulate through Re:fit Cymru and we are aiming to deliver £30m of capital schemes through this route. We have already had interest from local authorities, a university and health boards and I hope more will come on board when they see what is on offer.”
