ECO CENTRE ACHIEVEMENTS

The list of ECO Centre achievements is impressive, stretching back to 1980. Here are some of the less well catalogued successes:

• In 1980 the Group organised the first North Pembrokeshire Energy Show in Newport. This was followed by further Energy Shows in 1984 and 1988.
• In October 1980 the Group started its loft insulation bulk purchase scheme, buying in rolls of Rockwool for members at greatly reduced prices.
• Responding to grave public concern in 1982, the Group set up a conference on the problems of fuel poverty and hypothermia, and suggested local solutions to these problems.
• Every winter the Group has organised film shows, discussion evenings, talks on windpower, waterpower, solar heating etc, workshops on woodland management, site visits and assorted social events for members.
• In its early years the Group offered free loft insulation, draught-proofing materials etc to elderly and disadvantaged local people.
• In 1983 Group members raised the funds to undertake an insulation project in the Newport Memorial Hall, which is used for a wide range of community activities.
• In 1984 the Group opened the first Bottle Bank in West Wales, and it has since been instrumental in encouraging the local authorities to open others in Pembrokeshire.
• In 1985 the Group launched its first "Energy Van", a caravan fitted with energy-saving and renewable energy equipment such as solar panels, wind generators and photovoltaics. Inside, the caravan was fitted with a comprehensive collection of books, leaflets, posters etc on energy-related subjects. The caravan travelled all over West Wales, providing the public with free energy advice.
• In 1985, as part of its Tree-saving Campaign, the Group bought a 20-tonne load of biofuel briquettes on behalf of members and subsequently convinced local suppliers to stock the briquettes for sale throughout the area.
• Group members have produced two energy audits of Newport. The last one was well received for its analysis methods and firm recommendations.
• In 1989 the Group increased its involvement in recycling activities, starting a paper collection service and also collecting aluminium foil, jam jars and other materials.
• The Group is publicising the links between local electricity use and global problems related to acid rain and the greenhouse effect. As a practical step, low energy light bulbs are available to members at reduced prices.
• The Group has made a number of submissions to both Dyfed and Pembs CC in an attempt to refine the wording of their Supplementary Planning Guidance Notes relating to wind energy developments.
• In 1994-1997 the Group submitted detailed evidence to the local authorities relating to renewable energy policies in the draft Local Plans.
• The Group has argued that policies need to give special encouragement to energy-efficient community developments on a small scale.
• In December 1994, the Group inaugurated a highly innovative "Energy and Environment" package for Ysgol Bro Ingli in Newport, involving an automatic weather station, environment monitors, energy use meters, and renewable energy equipment, all linked into the school's computer. We were delighted when this project won a 1995 Prince of Wales award.
• In 1996 and 1997 the ECO Centre team ran a very successful Energy Challenge competition for local schools. It will become an annual event.
• In 1997 the ECO Centre became the smallest power station in the UK, exporting electricity from its photovoltaic installation into the grid.
• In 1997 the ECO Centre's solar bicycle attracted worldwide media attention, and was featured in many national newspapers and in TV and radio interviews.
• The ECO House and its Visitor Centre are becoming increasingly popular with tourists and school groups interested in renewable energy and ecology.
• 1998/1999 The Advice Centre supplies an advice service to the whole of rural Wales, supported by Isle of Anglesey County Council, Gwynedd Council, Powys County Council, Ceredigion County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council and Pembrokeshire County Council.
• 1998 The ECO Centre published a feasibility study into Eco tourism in Pembrokeshire.

More recent activities 1999 - 2002

• 1999 The ECO Centre is a partner in an Interreg funded programme to bring Energy awareness to the community, delivering presentations in schools in West Wales and Southern Ireland.
• 1999 The ECO Centre successfully runs a waste minimisation scheme in Pembrokeshire by negotiating a bulk purchase deal on compost bins.
• 1999 The EEAC made low cost CFLs available to everybody in Newport in attempt to reduce electric bills and make a community saving in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
• 1999 In-school presentations about renewable energy and energy conservation are being delivered to all primary schools in Pembrokeshire.
• The EEAC is developing tools for implementing the Home Energy Conservation Act, a statutory Act obliging local authorities to reduce energy use.
• The ECO Centre was fundamental to the development of a European SAVE 2 Energy Agency by Pembrokeshire County Council and local business representatives. The Pembrokeshire Energy Agency was successfully established in June 2000, and focuses on areas neglected by the ECO Centre such as energy saving in the business sector and cleaner transport solutions.
• The EEAC is conducting much more outreach work with communities such as the REACT project and promotional schemes to raise the profile of energy efficiency and encourage householders to take action.
• The EEAC has developed a North Wales office in partnership with the EST and the Merseyside EEAC.
• 2001 The ECO Centre produced a bilingual interactive educational CD ROM on the Sea Empress Oil Spill, in partnership with the Countryside Council for Wales. It was distributed to all primary schools in Wales. A Second CD on Energy and the Environment, Your World: Your Choice aimed at secondary school pupils is planned for launch in May 2003.
• The EEAC wins the tender to provide the secretariat duties to the Wales HECA Forum.
• The ECO Centre is developing the SEED programme, a low cost site-specific advice consultancy service as a means to greatly increase the uptake of clean energy and environmental development in Pembrokeshire. This is available to community organisations, schools, small businesses including farms and tourism operators and private individuals. Advice on available grants is given together with contact details of approved local installation companies, whose performance will be monitored.
• The ECO Centre has developed a series of environmental activity weekends on themes of energy and environmental issues in partnership with Newport Youth Hostel. They include presentations using the facilities and technologies at the ECO Centre plus visits to local sites of interest including Scolton Manor, Llys Y Fran hydroelectric scheme, Dyffryn Brodyn wind farm, Castell Henllys (living without electricity) etc.

2002 - 2003 Achievements

• Commenced the ECOBUILD project in partnership with Pembrokeshire College. A foundation course 'Sustainability in the Built Environment' funded under ESF.
• Won the contract to pilot the Renewable Energy Advice Service on behalf of EST for the whole of Wales.
• Under REAS co-founded REAL Cymru, an all Wales network of renewable energy advice bodies.

2003

• Renewable Energy Mobile Exhibition Unit completed, thanks to £20K grant from anonymous donor. Some running costs provided by SDF and small capital provided by PAVS. The unit was launched at Sageston School with Chris Gwyther AM and Nick Ainger MP. Used at schools show, farmers markets etc.
• 'Energy for Tomorrow - Ynni y Fory' - significant fully funded project to promote and result in 6 flagship renewable installations in communities in Pembs, Carms and Cered.
• SCOPE - INTERREG funded project to develop first commercially viable, part community-owned wind turbine in Pembrokeshire.
• 'Cosy Homes' - energy efficiency scheme aimed at fuel poor, funded by Npower, working in Ceredigion. Provides full range of support and links with key players in moving those within the fuel poor bracket out of it.
• North Wales EEAC funded to run 'Health through Warmth' in Wrexham.
• NWEEAC funded to provide Welsh Language advice service for ScottishPower.
• 'Mobile Homes Pilot' - EEAC involved in Powys CC run Innovation funded scheme to evaluate the benefit of advice to mobile home owners.

2004

• Funding from SDF, WTB and Enfys secures the refurbishment and staffing of the Information Centre for two years. Two staff are appointed to ensure that the new-look Information Centre regains centre stage as West Wales' premier energy and environment resource and attraction.
• A new logo is designed which represents in a much clearer way what the ECO Centre is all about. 'Energy Environment Education' - E3.

2005

• 2005 sees the 25th Anniversary of the West Wales ECO Centre
• Last year's annual report recives a special commendation from the Welsh Language Board's bilingual design awards.
• A week of events marking the 25th anniversary are held. The highlight is an evening lecture from Sir John Houghton FRCS CBE, former head of the Met Office, former chair of the Scientific Assessment Panel of the IPCC. Other highlights are the premier of the short film about local opinions on climate change; a tour of renewable energy sites in Pembrokeshire, a reunion of formers staff and Trustees, plus other activities.
• The second phase of Energy for Tomorrow  - SART Sustainable Action for Regeneration and Training - is awarded funding INTERREG. £100K for two years to see the development some new community renewable projects.
• NWEEAC is successful in its bid to provide Wrexham DBC with a town centre energy advice service. A contract worth £90K over three years.
• The refurbished Information Centre is formally opened as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations by Rhodri Morgan AM, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government.
• SART is cancelled as the Irish partners pull out of the project.
  

2006

• 3Rs day is held in January to rescue, refurbish and recycle electrical equipment; mobile phones; Christmas cards, bikes4africa and Christmas trees.
• The ECO Centre co-ordinates a projects funded by PCNP SDF to provide a 50% grant for conversions to diesel engines to allow use of vegetable oil.
• Darwin Science Festival contracts the WWEC to deliver environmental education through IT.
• EST award contract to WWEC to run the Local Energy Support Programme in Mid and South West Wales.
• Welsh Language Board award all concerned ? Zodshop, Vegoil Motoring and WWEC ? the award for Best Design in the Environmental category for the Vegoil information leaflet.
• TYF Ltd make a £10,000 donation to WWEC under the ?1% for the Planet? scheme.
• Sustainable Development Fund award WWEC £70,000 towards the Climate Change Wales education programme.
• WWEC wins the contract to provide support services to Pembs CC and the SRS scheme. Factsheets, training and education work to promote waste reduction in the county.