Energy efficiency investment programme saves 1,500 Welsh jobs
Energy efficiency news – by Thomas McMullan
23rd June 2014
A Welsh administration-backed energy saving programme has seen 1,500 private sector jobs saved across the nation’s businesses in the last year.
Support from the Welsh Government has led to dramatic results over the past year, with as little as £2.5 million in energy efficiency investment securing over £116 million in lifetime savings, a countrywide survey by global low carbon consultants the Carbon Trust, has found.
The survey, released last week, indicates that in addition to the 1,500 safeguarded jobs, an extra 30 roles have been created over the 12 month period from April 2013. The Carbon Trust receives core funding from the Welsh Government to provide advice, footprinting and technology services to business to cut their carbon emissions and costs.
The survey, released last week, indicates that in addition to the 1,500 safeguarded jobs, an extra 30 roles have been created over the 12 month period from April 2013. The Carbon Trust receives core funding from the Welsh Government to provide advice, footprinting and technology services to business to cut their carbon emissions and costs.
The £116 million secured in financial savings raises the total count of money saved due to the work of the Carbon Trust in Wales to more than £719 million; a figure that has simultaneously seen a slash of nine million tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.
“Over the years we have worked with hundreds of businesses in Wales, helping them to become more competitive, both nationally and internationally, whilst creating new employment opportunities and securing highly skilled jobs,” said Mike Batt, general manager of the Carbon Trust’s Wales office.
Range of services
“Over the years we have worked with hundreds of businesses in Wales, helping them to become more competitive, both nationally and internationally, whilst creating new employment opportunities and securing highly skilled jobs,” said Mike Batt, general manager of the Carbon Trust’s Wales office.
Range of services
The help available comes in a range of forms, from zero per cent business loans to free on-site carbon surveys. Some of the largest private sector employers in Wales to have received support include Tata Steel, GE Aviation Wales and spring water company, Princes Gate.
“Working with Carbon Trust Wales has given us the support we needed to make big savings. The team helped us to identify where improvements could be made and gave us some excellent advice in moving things forward,” said Endaf Edwards, operations director at Princes Gate. “In addition to safeguarding jobs, the savings we made allowed us to create five new roles for local people.”
“Working with Carbon Trust Wales has given us the support we needed to make big savings. The team helped us to identify where improvements could be made and gave us some excellent advice in moving things forward,” said Endaf Edwards, operations director at Princes Gate. “In addition to safeguarding jobs, the savings we made allowed us to create five new roles for local people.”
Manufacturing sector benefiting most
The manufacturing, engineering, aviation and bio-technology sectors have seen some of the greatest benefits from the support. The two counties of Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot in the industrial heartland of South Wales, where many of these sectors are centred, saw a combined £250 million of financial benefits.
The manufacturing, engineering, aviation and bio-technology sectors have seen some of the greatest benefits from the support. The two counties of Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot in the industrial heartland of South Wales, where many of these sectors are centred, saw a combined £250 million of financial benefits.
“We know that supporting energy efficiency is one of the best ways to provide a boost to the Welsh economy and make it a more attractive place to do business,” said Batt. “Continuing investment by the Welsh Government into energy efficiency and cutting carbon has delivered a number of lasting benefits, with a value and an impact that far outstrips the cost.”
The Carbon Trust lost its core funding from the UK Government in 2011. Since then, the Carbon Trust has closed a number of its free services for businesses in England and zero per cent loans for SMEs.
The Carbon Trust lost its core funding from the UK Government in 2011. Since then, the Carbon Trust has closed a number of its free services for businesses in England and zero per cent loans for SMEs.
Wales recently saw the opening of the first wind farm to be built due to approval from a local authority. The Oakdale site in Caerphilly County Borough, built in the area of an old coal mine, will feed power into a local business park to help it thrive. The park is expected to deliver 5,000 jobs into the local economy.
Like this content? Please subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter at the top of the page for more content like this.
Follow us on Twitter.
Related content:
