A housing group plans to retrofit its entire stock in a £120m investment to cut the carbon footprint of homes and save tenants money.
Social landlord Adra says it is taking action on climate change to decarbonise the company and the homes they provide and drive sustainable futures for communities across North Wales.
Adra’s strategy is two-fold, decarbonising its business activities as well as its existing and new-build housing stock, which will be heated and powered by clean energy sources.
These will include solar energy, using air source heat pumps and developing homes to the highest zero carbon Passivhaus standard, minimising heat loss and reducing costs for residents.
The social landlord’s ambitious development pipeline of 1,200 affordable new homes over the next five years will use the latest Modern Methods of Construction.
They said they will use local SMEs to reduce its carbon footprint, as well as creating jobs and providing training for colleagues who will develop new skills to deliver zero carbon homes.
Ffrancon Williams, CEO of Adra, which has 6,400 homes, added: “This is a huge challenge but also a great opportunity.
“With all of this investment we want to maximise jobs in the local supply chain, keeping the pound local to help with economic regeneration.”
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They are starting a pilot on 50 homes – looking at the different potential solutions for the wide variety of existing properties in its stock.
The housing provider is working proactively with the Welsh Government to support its green economic recovery plans.
Julie James, minister for Housing and Local Government of Wales, said: “I’m delighted to see Adra’s commitment to addressing our climate emergency and reducing bills for tenants across North Wales.
“This is an exciting time for the housing sector as we work together to deliver more affordable, zero carbon homes, supporting the Welsh construction industry and creating training opportunities. I look forward to seeing the retrofit and new construction in progress.”
Mr Williams added: “Never has the importance of a warm, secure and affordable home been more important. We’re taking action on climate change as part of our collective commitment to the Well-Being of Future Generations.
“At Adra, we consider lowering energy consumption as being key to helping reduce running costs for our residents and reducing fuel poverty which is at its most striking as we enter the winter months and during this pandemic.
“Adra is well placed to collaborate with many stakeholders. In Gwynedd, there is a strong network of community energy social enterprises and charities we have already started to work in partnership with.
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“We all need to work together to make a difference.”
Linda Campbell, decarbonisation champion for Adra’s Board, added: “Our new decarbonisation strategy will bring benefits in terms of new jobs, skills and economic activity and release growing numbers of residents from the real threat of fuel poverty.”