Sero Net partnership secures record UK Community Renewal Funding for Gwynedd

Leading social landlords including ourselves Adra, Grŵp Cynefin and partners have secured the largest amount committed to one project in Gwynedd from the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund, supporting the transition to decarbonise homes in North Wales.

Project Sero Net Gwynedd has received £589,203 of funding from the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund, with an additional £195,000 of match funding from partners, creating 26 jobs for the long-term unemployed and hundreds of training opportunities for young people and the local supply chain.

The investment in skills from the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund will support the decarbonisation of thousands of homes across Gwynedd, with the upskilling of the local workforce to deliver the more energy efficient homes provided by partner Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s Centre for Infrastructure Skills and Technology (CIST). CIST provides accredited professional training for business and specialist sectors.

We were among the first housing associations in Wales to launch its decarbonisation strategy back in November 2020, alongside Welsh Minister for Climate Change Julie James, showing our commitment to the Welsh Government’s drive for zero carbon homes by 2030, with a 2050 target across the UK.

Supporting the local transition to net-zero, six community hubs will be developed across Gwynedd, showing residents how clean technology can contribute to decarbonisation solutions. This investment will provide more energy efficient homes, reduce energy bills and assist to regenerate communities on a local level.

The innovative partnership includes social enterprises such as Datblygiadau Egni Gwledig and Partneriaeth Ogwen, which help communities to work together to become more sustainable. Existing supply chains across Gwynedd, already within the Travis Perkins Managed Services Framework, will be strengthened. Travis Perkins, the largest distributor of building materials in the UK, will work with local SMEs in Gwynedd to reduce carbon footprints and relevant training will be piloted to promote renewable energy, such as installing ground and air source heat pumps and solar panels.

Iwan Trefor Jones, Deputy Chief Executive – Adra and Chair of Sero Net Gwynedd, said:

“Our project Sero Net Gwynedd will establish a multi-stakeholder approach to develop local capacity and manage the decarbonisation challenges of Gwynedd’s housing stock.

“It will deliver a plan for ensuring Gwynedd can lead on decarbonisation and learn from the experience to inspire similar approaches throughout the North Wales region and beyond.

“The partnership consists of strategic partners that will focus on providing advice to local customers, developing the supply chain as well as improving the skills of young people.”

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said:

“We are levelling up in every corner of the United Kingdom, backing locally-led projects that will make a real difference to communities and help to deliver our net zero commitments. There is incredible talent spread right across our great country and this investment will unlock the opportunities to match.”

Meleri Davies, Chief Officer, Partneriaeth Ogwen, added:

“We are really pleased to be part of the Sero Net Gwynedd partnership. As a community driven organisation that places the community, environment and economy at the heart of what we do, we are well placed to drive the work within our communities and with existing and new customers.