Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

A Severn barrage could become one of the most expensive renewable energy schemes in history, the Welsh Affairs Committee will be told tomorrow (Wednesday 9 January). Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, will be presenting evidence to the committee in Westminster. He said: “Building a huge barrage across an important habitat makes no sense for jobs, for energy, or for the environment. “The future for electricity generation is in decentralised renewable electricity networks. The costs of solar and onshore wind are falling steadily, and will soon leave the business case for a barrage dead in the water. “A barrage won’t be powering a single light bulb until at least 2025. By then it could be one of the most expensive renewable energy schemes in history. “If we’re going to attract billions of pounds in private finance, let’s invest in major refurbishment for our dilapidated housing stock. That could make 10 times the carbon savings of a barrage, and provide a jobs and busi...

Carmarthenshire residents are being urged to move quickly to benefit from a new grant for renewable heating. Cash aid is being offered to help homeowners install renewable heating systems. The funding has just been launched by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and will be given on a first come first served basis. Grants of up to £1,250 are available and up to 25,000 installations will be funded under the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme. Carmarthenshire County Council sustainability advisers have called on residents to apply for their share of the pot. Grants will be given for ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers, air source heat pumps and solar thermal hot water panels. The scheme is aimed at helping people living off the mains gas supply, who have to rely on inefficient electric heating. Carmarthenshire’s Sustainability Advisor Eurgain Powell said: “The council is committed to reducing carbon emissions and is actively promoting the importance of sustainabl...

At a time of increased concern about the cost and environmental damage of fossil fuels, Aberystwyth University has signed an exciting collaborative framework agreement to provide innovative training for the renewable energy sector. The framework agreement between the Energy and Utility Skills, the Sector Skills Council for gas, power, waste management and water industries and the School of Management and Business at the University was secured through the successful completion of a competitive tendering process by the Aber-Bangor Skills Centre. To ensure the development of appropriate training, the School of Management and Business has created a tailored project management package encompassing the specific skills required for managing projects in the renewable sector. The package is the result of collaboration between the School, project management expert Gary Straw, and the environmental and energy consultancy, William McRae. Aimed at sector employees who live in Wales, the projec...