Cardiff’s One Planet Energy portfolio of projects reduces energy use and increases renewable energy generation while addressing fuel poverty.
If everyone in the world consumed natural resources and generated CO2 at the rate Cardiff does today, three planets would be needed to support the human race. The Welsh city aspires to be a one planet city by 2050 and has created a One Planet Energy portfolio of projects that supports this mission. The projects take a holistic, citywide approach to increase renewable energy generation and energy efficiency that addresses the problem of fuel poverty in underprivileged households.
Renewable energy installations at city facilities are expected to produce 3 GWh annually by 2022. The portfolio of projects utilizes a suite of renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, geothermal, hydrogen, and landfill gas. The Hydrogen Enabled Local Energy Systems project will integrate a solar photovoltaic farm with the city’s landfill gas plant in order to produce hydrogen fuel that functions as energy storage for the grid. With a special focus on engaging the fuel poor, the energy efficiency projects retrofit private households as well as public sector buildings, resulting in annual savings of 2,200 tonnes of CO2 in 2015 as well as increased awareness about energy efficiency amongst all residents regardless of income and education.
26% CO2 reduction per capita is Cardiff’s 2020 target
The challenge
High energy prices in Wales, combined with poor housing stock quality and low incomes, has resulted in increased fuel poverty among residents in cities like Cardiff. Through One Planet Energy’s household retrofit projects, underprivileged Cardiff families will receive affordable and sustainable heating. The projects also utilize local supply chains and labor, while training local unemployed youth at a rate of 3 trained per $1.5 million spent.
Co-benefits
Economic On energy efficiency retrofit projects, Cardiff has achieved a minimum of 2 new, green jobs per $1.5 million spent.
Environmental Cardiff aims to reduce CO2 emissions from Council services by 60% by 2022.
Health Retrofitted homes are warmer, which can help occupants with conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism, and may help reduce the risk of colds, flu, and respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Social The Cyd Cymru efficiency project under the One Planet Energy portfolio has lowered household energy bills by an average of almost $400 annually.
About Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital and largest city in Wales and the eleventh-largest city in the United Kingdom and its metropolitan area makes up over a third of the total population of Wales. Cardiff is a significant tourist centre and the most popular visitor destination in Wales.
