City centre business goes green with solar power

Ninety six solar panels have been installed on the rooftop of Cwtsh Hostel on Castle Street, helping the business cut its carbon footprint and save money on its energy bills.

Since the panels went operational at the end of January, they’ve already generated over 1.2MW of green electricity.

Cwtsh Hostel has also bought a high-tech battery to store the power generated, meaning they can sell excess energy to the grid and reinvest profits back into the business.

Swansea Council helped fund the solar panels and the battery with a carbon reduction grant through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Development Bank of Wales also contributed funding to the project.

As well as both pod and private accommodation, Cwtsh Hostel also includes a communal area, a communal kitchen, a small laundrette, games, and a projector for a cinema-style movie experience.

Llyr Roberts, Cwtsh Hostel owner, said: “The delivery of the solar panel and battery project is key to the long-term financial and environmental success of the business, so we’re hugely grateful for the funding we’ve received.

“Cwtsh Hostel is inherently a green business, and this project will further enhance the image of the business as one which champions sustainability.

“Helping significantly cut our carbon footprint, the project will also help the business save money on our energy bills. This will protect our position at the heart of Swansea city centre while also enabling the potential for further business growth and employment opportunities.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The project at Cwtsh Hostel is very much welcome because it will help Swansea reach its net zero city target in future while safeguarding the future of an innovative city centre business.

“Aimed at helping local businesses cut their carbon footprints and save money on their energy bills, the carbon reduction grant is among a number of funding schemes in place to support the city’s business community.

“Our businesses make an enormous contribution to employment and the local economy, so we’re on hand to support them in any way we can.”

The carbon reduction grant requires all applicants to provide 50% of scheme costs.

All applicants also need to sign-up to a free monthly course being run by the council, which shows businesses how to identify measures to cut their carbon footprint and boost their energy efficiency.

The course will also show businesses how to carry out an energy audit.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)