Do you have an idea for a community energy project?

Residents living in rural parts of Bridgend County Borough are being invited to come forward with bright ideas for exciting energy projects.

Bridgend County Borough Council’s reach rural development team has joined forces with the ‘Centre for Sustainable Energy’ – an independent energy charity – to offer support that will help get one outstanding project off the ground.

One of the reach team’s priorities is to encourage local communities to think differently about their energy and support them to make changes, so we’re very excited to be funding this project under the Thriving Rural Communities scheme.

I’m really interested in hearing what ideas residents have. It may be that a community wants to get together to create some sort of solar panel scheme, or maybe they have an innovative idea which centres on a community centre or hall.

Perhaps someone has always dreamed of creating an energy project that would benefit them and their neighbours, but haven’t really known where to start. You don’t need in depth knowledge about energy to get involved – just lots of enthusiasm for working on a challenging project that would benefit your community.

Councillor Charles Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration,

“The most promising idea we receive will be given a range of support so that it can become reality. Meanwhile, ideas which may not quite stand out as being the best but still have plenty of potential to be successful will also be given assistance from the Centre for Sustainable Energy.

“For example, the team will be able to provide advice on technical issues, engaging with the community, getting others on board, funding opportunities and project management.”

Councillor Smith added: “Decisions will be made over applications in early April so applicants are advised to be quick and submit their ideas as soon as possible.”

Applicants must live in areas of the county borough that are classed as ‘rural’ – Aberkenfig, Bettws, Blackmill, Blaengarw, Bryncethin, Bryntirion, Laleston and Merthyr Mawr, Cefn Cribwr, Coity, Cornelly, Llangeinor, Llangynwyd, Nantymoel, Newton, Ogmore Vale, Penprysg, Pontycymmer, Ynysawdre, Bryncoch, Felindre, Hendre and Sarn.

For further information, and to find out how to submit your energy project ideas, please visit Bridgend energy's website or call 0117 934 1400. 

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.