Egni Co-op continues solar rollout in Swansea with two new projects

Glyncollen Primary School in Swansea, Wales. Image: Egni Co-op.

Swansea has continued its solar power rollout, with the Egni Co-op announcing the completion of two more projects.

A 30kWp system consisting of 80 panels has been installed at Portmead Primary School and a 24kWp system with 64 panels at Glyncollen Primary School.

The new installations follows the installation of solar panels on six schools in Pembrokeshire in September by Egni, a community organisation that funds and manages PV installations in Wales. In the same month, it installed 220kW of rooftop solar on three schools in Swansea –  Pentrehafod, Gowerton and Pontardulais Comprehensives.

Egni co-director, Rosie Gillam, said it was great that the Swansea schools and Council were talking action on climate change, and that the systems were fully commissioned during Wales Climate Week.

“We are really pleased that other Swansea schools are coming forward, keen to take part in the programme.”

Swansea is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030, and is working together with Egni Co-op and the Welsh Government Energy Service to rollout solar panels on schools and beyond.

Andrea Lewis, cabinet member for homes, energy and service transformation, said: “We are delighted with this increase in clean green power on our schools in Swansea. 

“Earlier this year we declared our climate emergency and I’d like to thank everyone involved for moving rapidly to take action in response to this declaration.

“This was achieved at a time when we are facing so many other pressures and I want to thank all the council officers involved for ensuring that the project was completed on time and to such good effect.”

The cost of the solar installations is funded by Egni’s ongoing co-op share offer, which has raised £2.2 million to date. The organisation recently raised its target to £3 million.

Along with the installations, all the Swansea schools receive £500 of shares in Egni Co-op and an online portal is being developed so students can learn more about renewable energy, the Co-op and a cooperative approach in tackling climate change.

Jim Cardy, senior manager for Welsh Government Energy Service, added: “This project is a great example of a social enterprise working closely with a local authority partner in Wales to tackle the climate emergency. We’re pleased to have assisted Swansea Council with technical support and grant funding to progress this rollout.”

Egni has now installed nearly 4MWp on 82 sites in Wales, thanks to securing a £2.12 million loan from the Development Bank of Wales. This is the largest ever rollout of rooftop solar in the country according to the Co-op.