Energy - What are we doing?

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg


We have rolled out various initiatives to improve energy efficiency, and adopt renewable energy sources in our buildings and to support communities to do the same.

This page is designed to show you some examples of the energy efficiency work the Council is doing as part of Project Zero.


Southpoint Primary School - Wales' first Carbon Net Zero school

In 2022, we opened the doors to Wales' first carbon net zero school opened in Rhoose.

Its revolutionary net-zero carbon design neutralises the school’s environmental impact through improved building fabric, maximising solar gain, increased photovoltaic panels with battery storage and an air source heat pump.

There is significant outdoor space for play and sport activities and storage for push bikes and scooters to help promote active travel.

The school also has electric vehicle charging points, with green habitat areas containing flowers and trees within the grounds, a playground and a multi-use games area.

This project is part of our Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, a long-term Welsh Government funded improvement scheme to deliver top-class net zero facilities and ultra-modern learning environments.

Following the opening, the school went on to achieve a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Cymru Award for planning excellence, and a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning UK award for excellence in health and wellbeing.

The judging panel said: "An excellent example of partnership working with planning playing a crucial role in project management from inception to delivery. The project design went beyond the Sustainable Communities for Learning requirements and incorporated access by active travel and a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) area and biodiversity embedded in the site. The Team are continuing to use learning from this project to inform further schemes.”



Refurbishment of Victorian Cast Iron columns in Penarth

In 2023, our street lighting team refurbished the traditional Victorian street lighting in various areas of Penarth using modern energy efficient technologies.

Aiming to preserve the historical structures, a significant part of Penarth's identity and charm, the team retained the cast iron columns and replaced the existing lanterns with LED lanterns.

The introduction of LED lighting has brought numerous benefits. LED technology offers enhanced energy efficiency, longevity, and improved visibility compared to traditional lighting systems. By embracing this modern solution, the town remains well-lit, while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.



Energy efficient community centres

Through 2023 - 2024 our Property team delivered energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to three community buildings, funded by the Assets Collaboration Programme Wales (ACPW3).

The selected sites were, St Francis Millenium Centre in Barry, Rhoose Community Centre, and the CF61 centre in Llantwit Major.

All three buildings benefited from new insulation on heating pipework and new smart boiler controls, enabling heating to be controlled remotely.

Further electricity savings will be made by using free solar generated electricity, with new PV arrays and battery storage installed in all three centres.

New LED light fittings were also installed in all three buildings. Replacing old, noise and poor light emitting fittings at high level at St Franics has made a big difference with feedback from one community group commenting “Just to let you know that having used the hall for our sewing ladies yesterday, I can say that the lighting is great!”



ECO4 Scheme

We are working in partnership with Cardiff Capital Region and E.ON to support households in poorly insulated homes, making those households more energy efficient and helping lessen the impact of rising energy bills.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a UK government energy-efficiency scheme, administered by OFGEM, whereby energy companies are obligated to deliver energy efficiency measures to residential properties to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions.

The scheme has seen eligible properties, with energy efficiency rating bands D-G, fitted with various energy efficient measures such as insulation measures, central heating, renewable heating, and district heating connections.

In addition to ECO4 Flex, we are working together with E.ON to boost standard eligibility eco funding across all schemes and also working with NEST and the Energy Savings Trust to offer relevant assistance.

Our Regeneration Team also administer Interest Free Housing Loans to help property owners keep their homes safe, warm and secure and assist with costs to make properties more energy efficient such as replacing defective roofs, fixing damp and structural defects, and helping with the cost of new heating systems.

Find further information about the ECO4 scheme on the Vale of Glamorgan Council website.



Energy efficient lighting at the Alps garages

Our garage workshops at The Alps, Wenvoe have six vehicle bays to maintain the Council’s fleet, including cars, and larger vehicles like gritters and waste trucks.

LED light fittings were installed in March 2024 for all of the garage workshops, the compressor store and adjoining offices and welfare spaces.

The new lights provide a better light quality, improving the working environment and reducing electricity consumption by more than 70%.

View this page in Welsh / Gweld y tudalen hwn yn Gymraeg


We have rolled out various initiatives to improve energy efficiency, and adopt renewable energy sources in our buildings and to support communities to do the same.

This page is designed to show you some examples of the energy efficiency work the Council is doing as part of Project Zero.


Southpoint Primary School - Wales' first Carbon Net Zero school

In 2022, we opened the doors to Wales' first carbon net zero school opened in Rhoose.

Its revolutionary net-zero carbon design neutralises the school’s environmental impact through improved building fabric, maximising solar gain, increased photovoltaic panels with battery storage and an air source heat pump.

There is significant outdoor space for play and sport activities and storage for push bikes and scooters to help promote active travel.

The school also has electric vehicle charging points, with green habitat areas containing flowers and trees within the grounds, a playground and a multi-use games area.

This project is part of our Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, a long-term Welsh Government funded improvement scheme to deliver top-class net zero facilities and ultra-modern learning environments.

Following the opening, the school went on to achieve a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Cymru Award for planning excellence, and a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning UK award for excellence in health and wellbeing.

The judging panel said: "An excellent example of partnership working with planning playing a crucial role in project management from inception to delivery. The project design went beyond the Sustainable Communities for Learning requirements and incorporated access by active travel and a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) area and biodiversity embedded in the site. The Team are continuing to use learning from this project to inform further schemes.”



Refurbishment of Victorian Cast Iron columns in Penarth

In 2023, our street lighting team refurbished the traditional Victorian street lighting in various areas of Penarth using modern energy efficient technologies.

Aiming to preserve the historical structures, a significant part of Penarth's identity and charm, the team retained the cast iron columns and replaced the existing lanterns with LED lanterns.

The introduction of LED lighting has brought numerous benefits. LED technology offers enhanced energy efficiency, longevity, and improved visibility compared to traditional lighting systems. By embracing this modern solution, the town remains well-lit, while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.



Energy efficient community centres

Through 2023 - 2024 our Property team delivered energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to three community buildings, funded by the Assets Collaboration Programme Wales (ACPW3).

The selected sites were, St Francis Millenium Centre in Barry, Rhoose Community Centre, and the CF61 centre in Llantwit Major.

All three buildings benefited from new insulation on heating pipework and new smart boiler controls, enabling heating to be controlled remotely.

Further electricity savings will be made by using free solar generated electricity, with new PV arrays and battery storage installed in all three centres.

New LED light fittings were also installed in all three buildings. Replacing old, noise and poor light emitting fittings at high level at St Franics has made a big difference with feedback from one community group commenting “Just to let you know that having used the hall for our sewing ladies yesterday, I can say that the lighting is great!”



ECO4 Scheme

We are working in partnership with Cardiff Capital Region and E.ON to support households in poorly insulated homes, making those households more energy efficient and helping lessen the impact of rising energy bills.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a UK government energy-efficiency scheme, administered by OFGEM, whereby energy companies are obligated to deliver energy efficiency measures to residential properties to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions.

The scheme has seen eligible properties, with energy efficiency rating bands D-G, fitted with various energy efficient measures such as insulation measures, central heating, renewable heating, and district heating connections.

In addition to ECO4 Flex, we are working together with E.ON to boost standard eligibility eco funding across all schemes and also working with NEST and the Energy Savings Trust to offer relevant assistance.

Our Regeneration Team also administer Interest Free Housing Loans to help property owners keep their homes safe, warm and secure and assist with costs to make properties more energy efficient such as replacing defective roofs, fixing damp and structural defects, and helping with the cost of new heating systems.

Find further information about the ECO4 scheme on the Vale of Glamorgan Council website.



Energy efficient lighting at the Alps garages

Our garage workshops at The Alps, Wenvoe have six vehicle bays to maintain the Council’s fleet, including cars, and larger vehicles like gritters and waste trucks.

LED light fittings were installed in March 2024 for all of the garage workshops, the compressor store and adjoining offices and welfare spaces.

The new lights provide a better light quality, improving the working environment and reducing electricity consumption by more than 70%.