Five Powys community groups selected for renewable energy feasibility studies

Five projects in rural mid Wales will be supported with fully funded renewable energy feasibility studies, which will look at aspects including technical considerations, generation potential, costs, financing and governance options through a novel collaboration of funding partners.

Rhayader High Street, Powys.

Powys Energy for All is funded by the Energy Redress Just Transition Fund and supported by Powys County Council, aiming to generate renewable energy locally, with decision-making, ownership and benefits retained in the local community.

Powys Energy for All is helping groups explore options for community-owned solar generation projects, supporting them to build the skills and confidence to run events, manage a project, and build strong relationships with local authorities, funding partners and other stakeholders. The benefits are targeted on those at risk of fuel poverty in their communities.

The groups selected for the studies are: Black Mountains Community Energy (part of Llangattock Green Valleys); Llanfyllin Energy Generation Group; Llanidloes and District Energy Local Club; Open Newtown; and Rhayader Town Council.

The feasibility studies will be carried out by Powys-based consultancy Dulas Ltd over the next few months, with ongoing support from Severn Wye.

Ruth Chapman, Executive Managing Director, Dulas Ltd

Powys County Councillor for Rhayader, Angela Davies, said:

“We’re delighted that our project has been chosen for a feasibility study. Although we’re still at a relatively early point in our plans the guidance and support we’ve received from Severn Wye has been invaluable in helping us focus our thinking and preparing us to move forward to the next stage where we look forward to working with the team from Dulas. Like many towns, the energy crisis has hit hard here and being able to generate our own clean solar energy will be a massive boost for the people of Rhayader.”

Angela Davies (left) and Stuart Owen

Stuart Owen, CEO of Open Newtown said:

“We’re really pleased to have been selected for a feasibility study through Powys Energy for All. The study will help us understand the technical and financial potential for community-owned solar installations on commercial buildings in Newtown. Our hope is that this could eventually reduce local energy costs and reinvest profits into wider community benefit projects. The process so far has been very supportive, and we value the expertise and encouragement from Severn Wye and Dulas.”

Lee Tulfer, Severn Wye’s Community Renewable Energy Manager for Wales, commented:

“This is an exciting time for community energy in Wales. Powys Energy for All identified an ambition within Powys for this kind of renewable energy project, and we are delighted to support these five groups as they develop. These funded feasibility studies will enable groups to take their projects to the next stage and will create opportunities for shared learning which can also benefit future projects.”

Simon Walter, Chair of Llangattock Green Valleys (CIC), said:

“We are very pleased that our project has been selected to receive a fully funded feasibility study. The support from Severn Wye has been invaluable in helping us get to the next stage in our journey. We hope that working with Dulas we will now be able to assess crucial technical considerations and financing options required to move us forward. Our hope is that generating, using and storing local clean solar energy will help reduce fuel poverty in our community.”

Keith Blacker, Llanfyllin Energy Generation Group, added:

“Imagine two small blocks of steeply-sloping south-facing land immediately next to a social housing estate. The land has been used for grazing, but we now have been given this opportunity in Llanfyllin to explore the potential of solar power to generate lower-cost electricity for these residents. We are delighted. We hope to learn how a community generation scheme could work as there are several other potential projects in prospect in the town.”

Neil Statham, Secretary of Llanidloes and District Energy Local Club, concluded:

“We're really pleased to be selected for this feasibility study. It will help us identify what renewable energy assets are possible in our community and drive interest in working together on clean energy. With the support of experts from Severn Wye and Dulas, we're confident we can develop a project that delivers real, impactful, benefits to households across Llanidloes while strengthening our community”.