Blog written by Phil McGrath
Cyd Ynni, a project run by Datblygiadau Egni Gwledig (DEG) in north west Wales, has been helping communities set up renewable, community-owned energy where the profits are reinvested into the community. Formed to support local energy initiatives, we believe in the power of collaboration and leveraging strong community networks to make renewable energy accessible and beneficial for all. Our mission is to help communities harness renewable energy, reduce energy costs, and become more self-sufficient and resilient.
Cyd Ynni is a consortium of nine community groups, originally formed in 2017 when we secured £247,000 from the National Lottery to initiate community renewable energy projects and establish Energy Local Clubs, which aim to sell reduced-cost energy to local people, providing both economic relief and environmental benefits. Energy Local Clubs not only promote the use of sustainable energy sources but also strengthen the local economy by keeping energy expenditures within the community.
Cyd Ynni supports community groups in various towns, including Caernarfon, Llanberis, Llanaelhaearn, Felinheli, Beth, Capel Curig, Llithfaen, Y Fron, Llannor, and Llanrug. We assess the suitability of solar panels and batteries, analyse energy use, attend committee meetings, liaise with contractors, identify funding, and write applications.
In February 2023, we secured an additional £183,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to further our renewable energy projects. Over the past six months, we have supported communities to draw down £113,000.
Community Halls
Community halls are vital hubs for local activities, and we’ve been working tirelessly to help them become more energy-efficient. By now, five halls have installed solar panels with our support, saving money and reducing their carbon footprint. We assessed each building’s electricity supply, fuse box, and phase type, and worked with the halls to analyse their electricity bills. We attended committee meetings, liaised with three solar panel contractors to get the best price, identified funding sources, and wrote grant applications. The successful grants are:
- Llanllyfni Hall: £5,418 for 4kW panels
- Carmel Hall: £5,418 for 12kW panels (grant covers 4kW)
- Talysarn Center: £5,418 for 4kW panels
- Rhyd Ddu Outdoor Center: £9,640.70 for 5kW panels and a 9.5kWh battery
- Waunfawr Hall: £7,000 for 4.92kW panels
In total, we’ve supported communities in securing £39,000 in grants for community halls, with an additional £10,000 from social housing agency Adra for decarbonisation reports, bringing the total impact to £49,000. We aim to help another 8 before the end of the project in January 2025.
In total, the community groups we work with have committed a total of £70,000 (from their profits) to fund various other local initiatives. One is a new community energy group in Llanfairfechan, which has received £10,000 to get started; we’ve been supporting this new group in setting up and formulating their plans.
The Ynni Twrog Project
One of our most ambitious projects is the Ynni Twrog community building solar and battery initiative. We’re currently undertaking a funding application for a £250,000 project in the communities of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Penrhyndeudraeth, and Gellilydan, where we aim to install solar panels and batteries on 13 buildings, some with charging points. This project, totaling 136kW of solar capacity, will ensure sustainable energy and stable electricity prices for tenants, primarily social enterprises, small businesses, and charities. We’ve also navigated planning regulations for installing solar panels in Blaenau Ffestiniog, newly a World Heritage Site.
Future Plans: Community Energy Service Company (CESCo)
Looking ahead, our goal is to transform these 13 buildings into a wider Community Energy Service Company (CESCo). This involves integrating a hydro project and a district heating network, developed in partnership with Energy Local and Gwynedd Council. The CESCo will improve energy security, promote the use of locally produced renewable energy, and create a more resilient energy infrastructure. It’s also expected to create at least two local careers to manage the CESCo.
Hydro Projects
We’re also advancing hydro projects with £20,000 made from local hydro scheme profits, focusing on two sites: one in Blaenau Ffestiniog (35kW) and another on the Cwm Du (100kW) river near Rhyd Ddu. This funding enables us to carry out preparatory work, such as archaeological and ecological reports. We’re awaiting feedback from Natural Resources Wales on our hydro applications.
Industrial Rooftop Solar
Our ongoing discussions with Adra are aimed at installing between 250kW and 500kW of solar panels on the roof of its Decarbonisation Hub building, Tŷ Gwyrddfai, in Penygroes. This project, which involves one of the largest industrial roofs in north Wales, could significantly boost local renewable energy production. Cyd Ynni have revived a dormant community energy group and the aim is for them to develop the rooftop solar project with Cyd Ynni supporting its development. If the project was successful in securing the full 500kW, this would power the equivalent of about 100 homes. Regulations means that we couldn’t directly power homes, but the profits from selling the electric, either back to the grid or to businesses close to the solar panels, would be reinvested in community and environmental projects.
Future Projects
Going forward, Cyd Ynni is planning to build car park solar canopies and work with the Local Authority. We aim to identify car parks which have high energy usage within close proximity. This will lead to new community energy groups developing in those areas, with Cyd Ynni helping them to develop. We have already undertaken some preparatory work on two sites where there are many local companies close, which would help them to become sustainable and ensure that they can be a part of the community for years to come.