Press Release 08-02-10 

 A North Pembrokeshire community group clinches £500,000 Low Carbon Communities Challencge Funding. 

The community renewable energy project known as Cwm Arian was established by volunteers from the villages of Hemron, Glogue and Llanfyrnach in North Pembrokeshire. Following consultation with the community and support from PLANED (development agency) the community wished to examine various options for community owned renewable energy in the area.

 A  feasibility study was then undertaken by Dulas of Machynlleth funded by the Pembrokeshire National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund. The opportunity arose in the autumn on 2009 to bid for the UK wide Low Carbon Communities Challencge Funding offering support to community initiatives. The Low Carbon Community initiative is coordinated by the Department of Energy and Climate Change in London who were able to award funding to 10 communities across the UK under phase 2 of the initiative.

 The inhabitants of the villages covered by the Cwm Arian project are delighted that they have been chosen as one of the project to take forward their plans for Low Carbon initiatives. The main idea is to build 2 community owned wind turbines that will allow the community to sell renewable energy to the National Grid. The energy sold will amount to over £300,000 per annum for the 20 year life span of the turbines The funds will allow the project to fund Low Carbon activities for reducing carbon footprints in all community venues, farms and households in the area. There will be many opportunities to look at other renewable options of Hydro, Biomass & Solar power.
 
The community also have plans for setting up many new social enterprises with the annual renewable funding. Ideas such as creating community land trusts for community owned industrial units to house business activities thus boosting local employment. To also look at a community land trust for affordable housing that will be owned by the community. New social enterprises to address gaps in local services such as tackling child poverty and fuel poverty, boosting financial and social inclusion for all citizens in the area, and supporting community activity. 

 Representative from the community group Cwm Arian will be travelling to Whitehall in London on the 8th of February along with the other successful communities across the UK to the official Launch of the initiative. Cris Tomos the Chair of the Cwm Arian Community Group notes “This is fantastic news for our community activities in Hermon, Glogue and Llanfyrnach with an opportunity to show that small active communities can make a different in reducing carbon levels” Cris Added “ We are confident that our activities can be replicated in a large number of communities across Wales and the UK and with everyone focusing on reducing their Carbon Footprint all of us as responsible citizens within our communities can make an immense difference to global issues”     

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The community in the area also organise a youth arts and music festival every year that has grown to a 10,000 capacity event. In 2010 the plans are afoot to have the last day of the event devoted Community Energy and Eco displays and talks.  A minimal entry fee will cover the costs of the Eco day event at the youth festival and allow local people who are not avid live rock music supporters to gain access to the last day of the event and also learn about the latest low carbon support available for households and voluntary organisations. See www.celticbluerock.org  

Contacts for further details regarding the Cwm Arian Renewable Energy Project – please contact.

Cris Tomos – 07974 099738
Bill Davies – 07772771029