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A Pembrokeshire business which replaced hundreds of lightbulbs with energy efficient models has achieved major savings on its power bills. |
| Department store T.P. Hughes and Son had fitted 300 50 watt halogen bulbs when it refurbished the ground floor of its Tenby store. The effect was stunning but the company’s electricity costs soared, says director, Chris Hughes. “It basically quadrupled overnight,’’ he says.
This prompted the company to re-evaluate the store’s energy efficiency through PLANED’s Energy Savers project. It quickly realised that it could make big savings by simply fitting low energy light bulbs. “These bulbs are only 9 watt and they last so much longer than standard light bulbs,’’ says Mr Hughes.
It is energy efficiencies like these that PLANED wants to encourage other businesses to make.
Not only will this help businesses to make real savings but they can use their green credentials to promote themselves to their customers.
Chris Hughes, of TP Hughes, says this is becoming increasingly important. “Our customers expect us to being doing our bit to protect the environment,’’ he says. “We are trying to be as green as we can by such measures as having recyclable bags and ‘bags for life’.’’ |
 Green credentials: Chris Hughes, director of T.P. Hughes and Son, and Jo Brookman, of PLANED, with the bulbs which now illuminate the Tenby store.
PICTURE: Debbie James.
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 UK homes urged to 'leave it off'
The event hopes to make people aware of where energy is being wasted. Britons are being asked to "leave it off" later this month, to show that cutting home energy use can have an impact on climate change. During E-Day, which begins on 27 February, people will be asked to switch off electrical items not in use...more=>
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The launch of the Community Energy Network, organized by PLANED, was attended by many Pembrokeshire communities at Narberth’s Bloomfield Community Centre in October. |
The aim of The Community Energy Network is to provide community groups with the opportunity to learn from others who have developed energy projects, share ideas and expertise with other community groups and also to develop projects within communities.
 Two speakers from community energy projects outside Pembrokeshire explained how they have been carrying out CO2 reduction projects, e.g. in the Awel Aman Tawe area sheep’s wool insulation and a biomass boiler have been installed in public buildings, and a large tree planting carbon sink project has been established in Ashton Hayes in Cheshire.
Ashton Hayes is a small village with 1000 residents. There has been a whirlwind of community energy action since Garry Charnock expressed  the idea that the village could ‘Go Carbon Neutral’ to the Parish Council less than two years ago. His positive approach has created enthusiastic activity at all levels of village life, from school children and University students who are measuring the carbon footprint of the village to the local pub which is aiming to be the first in England to go Carbon Neutral.
 At the Community Energy Network Launch Garry showed us the award-winning DVD which shows all the achievements that Ashton Hayes has made and how others can do the same. This film certainly inspired the launch attendees to offer their ideas, expertise and resources to the Network and a steering group has now been formed to take ideas forward and develop them into projects. They will also organize future awareness raising events such as talks and study visits.
As a result of the Launch The Havens Energy Group is now using the Ashton Hayes model to inspire their community to Go Carbon Neutral and this project will be launched on 10th December in Broadhaven.
If your community has any ideas for tackling climate change and wants help to develop an energy project then contact the Community Energy Network via Jo Brookman on 01834 862119 or for email contact click here to use our contact enquiry form. |
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The reduction in CO2 emissions is now being recognised as an extremely important and urgent issue and most people, from the Government to the lay person, are trying to save energy and develop renewable energy initiatives. |
 Through my work as Energy & Recycling Officer for PLANED I have met many communities in Pembrokeshire who have expressed an interest in developing a Community Wind Energy Project. Therefore I have organised an event so that those Community Groups can meet organisations that can help them achieve their aims. The evening of presentations and discussions was held at Pembrokeshire College on 4th July from 7 – 9.30pm.
Speakers included Duncan Kerridge from Bro Dyfi Community Renewables Ltd in Machynlleth and Cris Tomos from the Cwm Arian Project in Pembrokeshire. Their experiences should help Community Groups understand how to develop their projects, obtain funding and how to get the whole community on board.
During discussions the Welsh Co-operative explained the advantages of setting up as a co-operative or social enterprise, and how the project can make money for the community as well as provide renewable energy. National Park planners will able to answer planning questions and a turbine installer will be on hand to discuss technical issues.
This evening helped community groups decide on the best direction for them and that they will form a network to assist each other through the process.
For further information contact Jo Brookman on 01843 862119 or for email click here to use our contact enquiry form.
Click to download Flyer .pdf (259Kb)
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 Do you want to find out how to make your home or business more environmentally friendly? Does your community want to become more energy self-sufficient? Or would you like to know more about the Wave Dragon which should soon be floating off the Pembrokeshire Coast? A Sustainable Living Afternoon is being held at Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock on Thursday 28th June from 1 – 5pm. |
So come in and speak to solar heating or wind turbine suppliers, or find out about sustainable building Ground Source Heat Pumps, under-floor heating, recycling and energy efficiency. There will be information stands and short presentations on all these sustainable subjects. Speakers so far include local businessman, Alistair Pollard, who has set up Celtic Bio Diesel, which converts waste cooking oil into bio-diesel for sale in bulk from the Royal Dockyard. The SRS officers will be on hand to show you what you can recycle and what you can’t and exactly what can be put in your compost bin! Energy advisors will be able to inform you about grants that are available for loft insulation and other energy saving measures.
Wave Dragon Wales Ltd, a leading developer in Wave Energy technology will be hosting a display stand showing their proposal for the world’s largest wave energy converter. The demonstration project is being supported by the Welsh European Funding Office under the Objective 1 initiative and the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) has been supporting the efforts of the project over the last few years. The device is intended to be located 2-3 miles off Milford Haven and tested for 3-5 years only, to gain operational experience and knowledge on the energy transfer efficiencies.
 We want to promote your project too. If you are an organisation involved in promoting sustainable living or a business that supplies environmentally-friendly products then there is still time to book a stand at this event. Please contact Jo Brookman on 01834 862119 or for email click here to use our contact enquiry form.
This event is being organised by PLANED as a result of enquiries about energy saving and how to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. It follows two very successful and well-attended Energy Awareness days held last autumn in Narberth and Llys-y-fran. PLANED’s Energy & Recycling Officer, Jo Brookman explained, ‘Most people in Pembrokeshire want to do their bit to reduce CO2 emissions but are worried about how much it will cost. The aim of this event is to show people that simple actions, like switching off stand-bys or topping up loft insulation can make a difference and will usually save you money by cutting down on fuel bills.’
This event is free and open to all.
Click to download Flyer .pdf (1Mb) |
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 Energy Savers, the project which helps communities in Pembrokeshire to become more energy efficient is now running in the East Central Area. This includes Narberth, Templeton, Martletwy, Lawrenny, The Rhos, Llawhaden, Lampeter & Llandewi Velfrey, Tavernspite, Llanteg and Amroth. |
Residents, local businesses and farmers are all being offered energy audits. The process also applies to community buildings.
In 2004, through its EU and Welsh Assembly Government funded Leader+ initiative, PLANED piloted the Energy Savers Project in the Maenclochog area.
PLANED and its partners, Arena Network and the Mid and South West Wales Energy Efficiency Advisory Centre, has been offering the same assistance in the last year to communities in the Tenby, Saundersfoot, Manorbier and St Florence areas in South East Pembrokeshire, and Dinas, Newport, Nevern, St Dogmaels, Cwm Gwaun and Moylegrove in the North East of the County.
In the South East Area a local steering committee was established under the chairmanship of PLANED board member, Mike Neal, of Penally. He says the committee has informed communities about the project through their newsletters.
" The audit was done on a community by community basis,'' says Mr Neal.” Participants got a full report back on their individual properties with suggestions on how they can improve their energy efficiency. This doesn’t only help them to save money but it will help the environment too.
Other ways of finding out more have been achieved through a fortnightly column in the Tenby Observer called Bright Ideas; mailings; and Open Days where people could ask the experts about energy efficiency, see displays on renewable energy systems and sign up for trips and energy audits.
The Energy Savers Project is being rolled out in the East Central Area during Spring 2007, so if you live in this area and are worried about increasing fuel bills and want to help the environment then get involved.
If you live in South East, East Central or North East Pembrokeshire you can sign up your business, farm or community building by email or phoning Energy & Recycling Officer,
Jo Brookman on 01834 862119.
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Since starting my role as Energy & Recycling Officer for Leader + at PLANED in January 2006 I have met many people from all over Pembrokeshire who have an interest in renewable energy, energy efficiency and recycling. This is very encouraging, but levels of interest and knowledge vary from complete energy efficiency novices to long term energy self sufficient experts. Most people are enthusiastic and want to do something to become more energy efficient or use renewable energy but are in danger of becoming frustrated, perceiving that bureaucratic systems are thwarting their efforts. |
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Do you want to be ‘carbon neutral’ or ’energy self-sufficient’? Do you want to install ‘micro-generation systems’ at home? Or do you just want to find out what these buzz words actually mean?
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Most of us now agree that we need to reduce CO2 emissions to help combat Climate Change, but how do we go about it? PLANED are hosting the launch of the South East Pembrokeshire Energy Group at the Gower Hotel, Saundersfoot on Monday 26 th March. The event aims to bring together local residents, community groups and businesses who want to cut CO2 emissions by installing renewable energy (micro-generation) systems, being more energy efficient or want to build using sustainable methods and materials.
At the event which begins at 6.30pm, and after everyone has enjoyed a local produce buffet, Christine Gwyther, AM, will speak about Welsh Assembly Government policy on planning for renewable energy and how both national and local Governments intend to reach targets for reducing CO2 emissions.
There will also be talks by the Energy Efficiency experts from the West Wales Eco Centre on how to save energy and obtain grant funding, ARENA Network will explain how the Green Dragon Environmental Award can help businesses become energy efficient and Pembrokeshire Bio-energy can show how Pembrokeshire can champion bio-fuels.
During discussions and networking facilitated by Jo Brookman, PLANED’s Energy & Recycling Officer, the framework for the Energy Group will be developed.
‘If you just want to find out which are the best insulation companies to use, or are considering installing solar panels, or you want to set up a project to produce renewable energy for the benefit of your community, then this new group can help you,’ Miss Brookman explained. ‘PLANED can assist the group by inviting experts to talk, facilitate meetings, trips and workshops, organise publicity and training, and can even help to set up community enterprises or co-operatives.’
We all need to find out how we can cut our CO2 emissions and become energy efficient so join the South East Energy Group to become better informed.
 A Community Energy Scheme enabled this housing project in Machynlleth to incorporate solar photovoltaic panels on the roof to provide electricity.
If your area is also interested in starting an Energy Group and you need advice please contact: Jo Brookman on 01834 862119.
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A series of trips are currently running to view renewable energy systems in practice, i.e. Centre for Alternative Technology, Caerfai Farm in St Davids, and the sustainably renovated roundhouse at Druidstone Hotel.
The trips have been instrumental in sparking a variety of debates to which most trippers wish to continue. One idea for achieving this is to set up an Energy Forum on the Web linked to the PLANED website.
If you would like to read what people have written or contribute yourself please click on the link below.
The views expressed or implied within this forum are not those of PLANED.
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During October and November communities in Pembrokeshire had the opportunity to find out more about renewable energy and other related matters at two events. |
The first event was held at
Llys-y-fran Visitors Centre on
Saturday 14th
and over 130 people attended.
There were stalls, displays and workshops on renewable energy, becoming more energy efficient, composting, making bio-diesel and many more. There were speakers on subjects such as sustainable building, planning permission, renewable energy installation and more. |
The second event was held at the Bloomfield Centre in Narberth on
Saturday 18th November and attracted nearly 200 visitors .
Look out for more of these events in 2007. |
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