Gwent Crematorium solar panel plan to cut energy costs

The solar panels could be installed via an agreement with Egni Cooperative, a community energy group

Solar panels could be installed on the roof of Gwent Crematorium to help with energy costs.

The crematorium, outside Cwmbran, is a joint venture between Newport City Council which manages it and building owner Torfaen Council.

The panels could provide the site with about 15% of its current electricity demand and help save some £970 a year.

The scheme would also help both councils meet their net-zero climate change obligations.

In Newport, the local authority has already installed rooftop solar panels on 31 sites including schools, care homes, and the city's velodrome.

A report by the Greater Gwent Cremation Joint Committee shows the solar panels would be installed via an agreement with Egni Cooperative, a community energy group.

The building's roof space would be leased by Egni Coop, and the site would be able to buy the solar-generated electricity at a discounted price to market electricity, the report explains.

"Egni Coop [will] install the solar panels and own the equipment outright," it said.

If the solar project goes ahead, Newport City Council would have the opportunity to buy the panels at the end of a 21-year lease with Egni Cooperative.