Warm Wales

Arbed Energy Saving Programme Underway

Warm Wales – Cymru Gynnes (WWCG) are delighted to have been commissioned by a number of social housing providers to help deliver schemes throughout Wales which are being funded under the Welsh Assembly Government ‘Arbed’ programme.

‘Arbed’ (meaning ‘Save’) is a £30 million fund sourced primarily from the Strategic Capital Investment Fund (SCIF) and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (the initiative is also known as the ‘Strategic Energy Performance Investment Programme’). Phase 1 of ‘Arbed’ (2010 – 2011) is focused specifically on energy efficiency improvements to homes in economically deprived communities within Wales.

This groundbreaking scheme is intended to tackle climate change, help eradicate fuel poverty and boost economic development and regeneration within Wales. Most importantly the improvements to the housing stock under the ‘Arbed’ scheme will ensure that long term solutions are put in place to future proof Welsh homes.

Wales is leading the way in the UK with this innovative scheme and WWCG and its partners will not only be focusing on helping those most in need by reducing fuel costs and alleviating fuel poverty, but also making local job creation and training a key part of each and every project.

Also key to this scheme along with the generation of local training and employment is the economic opportunities for Welsh businesses. The design, manufacture, distribution, installation and maintenance of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy/heat technologies is a priority, and will be sourced locally.

As a forward thinking and highly successful Community Interest Company WWCG are able to access grant aid under Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT) and Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP) from a number of sources. Our grant funding enables us to provide innovative financial solutions for initiative schemes such as ‘Arbed’, maximising the benefits to each and every community involved. Working with communities WWCG has already delivered more than £30m of investment into Wales, with funding obtained from a range of partners creating energy savings in excess of £52m.

WWCG are committed to delivering a wide range of measures, in the area of sustainable energy and regeneration, in support of Assembly policies to help and assist Welsh residents in every way possible. Our aim is to ensure that sustainable housing ceases to be seen as a novelty, but instead becomes the everyday solution to tackle climate change and fuel poverty.

Our services include:

• training, knowledge and skills development;
• professional advice, design and project management services and
• access to funding sources.

At this time of rapid change, there is a need for specialist support and practical advice. Our dedicated team is supported by a network of specialist associates.

Our associates include:

• the Design Research Unit of the Welsh School of Architecture;
• BRE Wales;
• the European Housing Ecology Network, along with other specialists.

With these resources, we can offer a range of services for new-build and retrofit schemes, for example:

• the consultancy service will provide specialist technical support and advice and guidance to social landlords and developers;
• we are offering to design and develop a range of housing projects, in partnership with local authorities, RSLs and developers;
• we will offer to design, build and project manage new-build housing to code 5 and 6 of the code for sustainable homes.

A PIONEERING project launched by Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes at a Wales & West Housing Association (WWHA) retirement scheme to help tackle the issue of fuel poverty has been given the ‘thumbs up’ by First Minister, Carwyn Jones.

The project, at The Beeches retirement complex in Bridgend, is the result of a partnership between Warm Wales, WWHA and Wales and West Utilities Ltd (WWU) kicks off the fuel poor initiative which is to be rolled out across Wales.

“I am delighted that this scheme to bring cost effective warmth to those who live at The Beeches in Bridgend has been so successful,” said Mr Jones, AM for Bridgend.

“I understand this is the first such project in Wales and I am really pleased that I was able to help the residents in kick-starting the project.”

Phil Roberts, Chief Executive of Warm Wales said: “We are delighted that Ofgem and Wales & West Utilities have forged these arrangements for households in Wales and the South West of England.  We believe that the arrangements will provide the missing link in the funding chain for many families.   Householders have nothing to lose and may discover they have much to gain by taking a few minutes to reply to us.”

Graham Edwards, WWU’s Chief Executive, said: “This is a positive step forward in addressing the issue of fuel poverty and we are delighted to have worked with Warm Wales and Wales & West Housing Association in ensuring that this local retirement complex is one of the first to benefit from the scheme.”

The fuel poor scheme, to extend WWU’s gas network to fuel poor communities and individuals who have previously not been able to benefit from a connection to gas mains, comes after agreement with industry regulator, Ofgem.  Warm Wales will be working with WWU to help to deliver the initiative.

Warm Wales is responsible for evaluating applications against criteria set by the regulator.   They may also be able to identify additional help for those who might not be aware of the opportunities available for heating, home energy saving and support.

The project involved making a gas connection to the scheme (from the mains gas supply in the main road passing in front of the scheme), removing electric storage heaters and hot water cylinders and replacing them with new energy efficient, combination & condensing boilers and new central heating systems.  These are fitted with thermostatic radiator control valves, timer s and programmers. The boilers allow for separate temperature control of the heating and hot water temperatures.  The programmer is designed for use by people with impaired sight.

Warm Wales was able to bring together a package of funding and work with the key partners to make the project happen. The gas work (service connections and pipes) would normally cost just over £30,000 but was 100% funded from the new grant scheme offered by WWU. Residents qualified for grant aid on grounds of either age or benefits received.  Further grants reduced the cost of the new heating systems. Warm Wales made the gas connection grant arrangements on behalf of WWHA, as WWU ‘community interest’ partner, and introduced WWHA to other grant opportunities to cut the cost of installing the new heating.

The work was completed quickly, within a few weeks.  A formal opening took place at which First Minster Carwyn Jones AM and all the project partners celebrated with the residents. The reaction of The Beeches residents has been really positive.

What makes Warm Wales different?

Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes is a registered Community Interest Company and operates on a ‘not for profit’ basis.   It reinvests its business savings n the projects it carries out within the communities where it works to bring a legacy of positive achievement.  It offers consultancy, project management and funding maximization services. Warm Wales believes it is the only organisation offering this unique blend of knowledge, expertise and access to funding to the social housing sector in Wales.

Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes is able to carry out similar projects across Wales, putting together a package of grant aid and bringing together the right partners.  If you’d like more information on the project or want to know how Warm Wales Cymru Gynnes might be able to help you call 01639 825960, visit www.warmwales.org.uk or email enquiries@warmwales.org.uk

A joint Warm Wales-Charter bid for £1.6m ‘Arbed’ grant funding to carry out energy efficiency improvements to properties in Markham village has been approved by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The £1.6m Arbed grant will help to fund a £2.3m programme of energy efficiency improvements to both Charter’s 124 homes and other private/public sector housing in Markham. Proposed Arbed measures include cavity insulation, insulated external render, solar hot water and photovoltaic panels. Additional funding is being sought by Warm Wales and NPower from the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP) to pay for other measures, including home energy assessment surveys, loft insulation, new gas connections and central heating systems for solid fuel properties, upgrades for existing heating systems, and real time energy use display units.

The Markham project will run from April 2010 to March 2011, The project is also seeking to create training and employment opportunities for local people, including three Community Energy Wardens, funded via the Future Jobs Fund.

‘Arbed’ (meaning ‘Save’) is a £30 million fund sourced primarily from the Strategic Capital Investment Fund (SCIF) and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (the initiative is also known as the ‘Strategic Energy Performance Investment Programme’). Phase 1 of Arbed is focused specifically on energy efficiency improvements to homes in economically deprived communities within the Heads of Valleys area.

Key facts:

• Total properties in Markham: 624
• Total number of proposed measures: 2,154
• Total cost of programme: £2,320,598
• Total Arbed funding granted: £1,600,000
• Additional funding from Community Energy Savings Partnership (CESP), Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), and Charter contribution.
• Total potential energy bill savings to homes in Markham: £169,129 per annum
• Lifetime CO2 saving as a result of improvements to homes in Markham: 24,738 tonne

BRE Wales and Warm Wales-Cymru Gynnes are working together to deliver a one stop shop solution for the delivery of the Code for Sustainable Homes and Sustainable Refurbishment.

Both Companies are ‘not for profit’ organisations with no shareholders. ‘Surpluses’ generated by BRE companies go into research and education projects in the built environment, whilst those generated by Warm Wales-Cymru Gynnes are reinvested into the communities it serves.

Working together, BRE and Warm Wales-Cymru Gynnes, are uniquely able to offer consultancy, guidance and confidence to deliver high level sustainability in an affordable and easily replicable way.

For further information, download the Refurbishment and Code for Sustainable Homes solutions from BRE & Warm Wales pdf

Warm Wales – Cymru Gynnes Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol has appointed Phil Roberts as Chief Executive Officer to take forward the next stage of major development for the company. Phil’s association with Warm Wales began when he joined the company Board of Directors in 2008. (more…)