The Carmarthenshire Energy Agency is tackling climate change head–on by developing clean–energy projects, which can also boost community and economic development. The Carmarthenshire Energy Agency is working hard to engage with communities and promote sustainable development and have a number of excellent projects underway.

• Community Solar Energy Project

Twenty–nine community halls, urban and rural have had solar panels installed to provide free hot water to lower the halls' carbon emissions. Each hall is also receiving a specially designed 1–m–tall plaque to commemorate the installation of the solar panels.

• Community Zero Carbon Project

A further 30 community buildings, large and small in urban and rural Carmarthenshire have been identified to participate in a zero–carbon project. They will be used to raise awareness of climate change by showcasing clean energy technologies in Carmarthenshire and boost local community regeneration.

• Biomass Energy Co–operative

The Agency has established an energy co–operative with an annual target of supplying 15,000 tonnes of biomass woodchip from local, sustainable sources for local markets in south West Wales.

• Hydrogen Farm (Wales Ireland Rural Hydrogen Energy Partnership)

The Agency is developing a highly innovative Hydrogen Farm to significantly lower agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, generate clean energy with fuel cells and boost rural economic development.

Community buildings can act as public showcases in promoting the sustainable energy technologies which are required to combat climate change. Our natural environment is also a vital component when considering sustainable development and meeting the challenge of combating climate – are there areas within community parks and picnic areas where the benefits of more sustainable management, and the benefits this would bring, can be demonstrated in the same way as these excellent projects??

Guto Owen is Manager of Carmarthenshire Energy Agency and can be contacted on 01267 237314 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it