| The Welsh Government has set ambitious targets to operate at close to zero emissions by 2050. With 9% of Welsh emissions coming from buildings, this will certainly require a substantial change in how buildings are heated in the future. Heat networks are expected to be crucial to delivering the Welsh carbon emissions targets and the milestone investment announced today by Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management recognises this. We are pleased to announce the first two funding awards in Wales. Heat networks schemes in Bridgend and Cardiff have been awarded just under £8million to support commercialisation and construction. Following a successful HNIP application, Bridgend County Council has received a £1.2 million commercialisation and construction grant for a heat network which will deliver heat to a number of public sector buildings in the town centre. Importantly, the heat network has been designed to enable future expansion to additional properties in the local area, including businesses and residential units. Key objectives of the scheme are to continue to provide reduced energy costs for consumers, provide carbon emissions savings compared to alternative strategies and to further decarbonise heat supplies over time. Cardiff Council have been successful in receiving a £6.6 million construction grant for the Cardiff Heat Network which will utilise heat from a local Energy from Waste plant. Saving nearly 1,800 tonnes of carbon each year, Phase 1 of the scheme will deliver heat to 11 commercial and public sector buildings with the ability to expand further. The proposed Cardiff Heat Network begins at Trident Park Energy Recovery Facility in Cardiff Bay, spreading across the Bay area before, as part of a later phase, crossing the main Cardiff to London railway line. |