New Green Growth Proposition
To accelerate progress towards a carbon neutral future, the Council has developed a Green Growth Proposition (Feb 26) —a focused programme built around two major areas where the Council can directly influence change.
Expanding local renewable energy
Subject to funding and business case approval, the Council will progress:
- A 14MW Lamby Way Solar Innovation Hub with battery storage and EV charging for its waste fleet.
- A city wide renewables pipeline, identifying sites suitable for large scale solar and wind investments.
- An expansion of the Cardiff Heat Network, with plans already in development to extend into the city centre.
- A programme to deliver solar PV and energy technologies on industrial and commercial buildings, starting with those that the Council owns.
Scaling up domestic energy retrofit
With around 91,000 homes across the city in need of retrofit, the programme also sets out proposals, subject to funding and business case approval, to:
- Expand the Switch Together collective buying scheme (previously known as Solar Together) to increase installation of domestic solar energy systems, with Phase Two of this initiative already active.
- Roll out a new Warm Homes for Health partnership with NHS colleagues to support residents whose health conditions are worsened by cold homes.
- Deliver a citywide retrofit engagement hub to give residents clear, trusted advice.
Cardiff Heat Network
The Cardiff Heat Network is a low-carbon district heating system designed to supply heat to public and private buildings across the city, initially in Cardiff Bay. It captures heat that would otherwise be wasted, from Viridor, an energy-from-waste facility in Cardiff Bay. It then distributes it through insulated underground pipes. The network helps reduce carbon emissions for user by approximately 80%, improve energy efficiency, and support Cardiff’s ambition to become a carbon-neutral city.
The first phase of the heat network provides heating to Wales Millenium Centre, the Senedd, Tŷ Hywel, the new Scott Harbour Council flats, Cardiff & Vale college main building and Tresllian House as well as a number of smaller buildings.
There is a significant opportunity to expand the network towards the north and some to the south. If combined with retrofit measures and additional heat supply sources, there could be further growth potential or even opportunity to establish a heat network zone.
Mary Immaculate food growing pilot
Pupils at Mary Immaculate High School have received funding from One Planet Cardiff small grants scheme, to help run their very own polytunnel to grow fresh produce for use in their school meals.
The polytunnel has become a vibrant teaching hub within the school’s enrichment programme and curriculum, building practical skills, supporting wellbeing, and connecting young people with nature. Usage of the garden has now expanded as some pupils on an alternative curriculum next year will be spending more work experience time in the garden. This is alongside the pupils on enrichment and the gardening club – therefore more engagement and more food.
The garden goes from strength to strength. All of the beds are now producing vegetables and flowers – food from the garden is a regular staple in the canteen and the flowers are a lovely addition around the school. Once the heavy cropping items like tomatoes and strawberries come into season, they will be sending resources down to the local foodbank. They are already planting foods for the school Christmas dinner! Outside beds are now coming into their own with herbs, vegetables and potatoes and runner beans. The composting is also going well with a lovely sustainable pattern of food to compost to growing.
The funding has also paid for their very own beehive, with the first batch producing some honey which the pupils have been having on their morning toast.
A small project making a big difference for learning, wellbeing, and the planet.
Visit the One Planet Cardiff website.
