WIREDGOV

Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, has announced over £424,000 to make The Works in Ebbw Vale more energy efficient and help keep fuel bills down.

The former steelworks site has been transformed into a learning, health and leisure hub thanks to a partnership between the Welsh Government and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council – making it one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in Wales since devolution.

The funding will support an £800,000 project to install new biomass boilers at the site to heat many of the major public buildings, including a college, school, sports centre, grade 2* listed General Office building and future proposed developments. It will also ensure the site maintains its BREEAM excellent sustainability rating and achieves its carbon savings target.

Announcing the funding, the Minister said:

"The Works is an ambitious regeneration project which is creating a better future for Blaenau Gwent.

"As well as making the site more energy efficient, the new biomass boilers will ensure The Works maintains its excellent sustainability credentials.

 "This project is another great example of how effective partnership working between the Welsh Government and Blaenau Gwent CBC can greatly benefit the local community."

Hedley McCarthy, Leader of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, said recently:

"We welcome this decision from the Minister, and the funding towards continuing to support the sustainable agenda within Blaenau Gwent.  The Works is a fantastic example of regeneration and how the area has changed dramatically over the last eight years. 

"The Energy Centre, which will contain the biomass boilers, already provides efficient water and power to the main buildings at The Works site, such as The Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Ebbw Fawr Learning Community, Sports Centre and The General Offices.  The funding announced today for the biomass boilers will make these buildings more energy efficient."