Funding will support improvements to social housing, eligible private homes and rural properties reliant on oil or LPG
THOUSANDS of households across Wales could benefit from warmer, more energy-efficient homes under a new £17 million Welsh Government funding package.
The investment will support energy-saving improvements including insulation, solar panels, battery storage and modern heating systems, with some residents reporting that their monthly energy costs have been cut by as much as half following similar work.
The funding follows a review of the Welsh Government’s Warm Homes programme, carried out as part of its first 100 days in office.
Three programmes will receive additional support.
A total of £8 million will be allocated to the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which funds energy-efficiency improvements in social housing.
A further £5 million will be provided to the Nest scheme, which offers support to eligible households living in privately owned or privately rented homes.
The remaining £4 million will fund new area-based projects, including schemes targeting rural and off-grid households that rely on heating oil or liquefied petroleum gas.
These pilots will operate alongside the Tai Clyd Caerdydd project, which is already delivering home improvements in Fairwater, Adamsdown and parts of Splott in Cardiff.
At Parc Penrhiw in Ammanford, residents have seen monthly energy costs fall from around £200 to less than £100 after homes were fitted with solar panels, battery storage, insulation and modern heating systems.
Some properties at the development previously relied on coal fires but have now been fitted with cleaner electric alternatives, improving indoor air quality and making homes easier to heat.
Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, Housing and Planning Siân Gwenllian visited the development to meet residents and inspect the work.
She said: “What we’ve seen at Parc Penrhiw shows exactly why this investment matters.
“These are real families spending less to live safely and comfortably in their homes, with lower energy bills putting more money back into people’s pockets and helping with the cost of living.
“This £17 million is just the beginning and will help us reach more households across Wales, supporting more families with the cost of living while making a genuine difference to people’s lives.”
Resident Jennifer Devereaux recently moved into a fully retrofitted home with her daughter.
She said: “I never thought I’d be in credit with my energy supplier.
“Moving away from the coal fire has made such a difference. The house is warmer when it’s cold outside, it’s healthier, and I don’t have to worry about bills the way I used to.”
Scott Sanders, group chief executive of Codi Group, said the improvements at Parc Penrhiw demonstrated how retrofit projects could reduce household costs while supporting residents’ wellbeing.
He said: “This investment is welcome news for communities across Wales and demonstrates the real difference that partnership working can make.
“At Codi, we’ve seen the impact that high-quality retrofit can have for customers at Parc Penrhiw.
“Working with local contractors, we have created warmer homes, lower energy bills and healthier places to live, all contributing to personal wellbeing.
“We’re pleased to have worked alongside the Welsh Government to help deliver these improvements and look forward to continuing that partnership as more households benefit from energy-efficient homes and a more sustainable environment.”
The Welsh Government said the investment would help tackle fuel poverty, improve living standards and support Wales’ wider decarbonisation targets.
