Hannah Blythyn MS has presented Ysgol y Foel with the prestigious Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Landscape Award for their incredible renewable energy project.

The project is set to make the school sustainable for future generations of those who attend it in the coming years and has been achieved through an impressive  decarbonisation project.

The school building which was constructed in the 1960’s did not support a vision of sustainability. This therefore led to school governors realising an opportunity to reduce the energy bills and carbon footprint as a whole. The previous heating source used was oil and the electricity was sourced from the national grid. This was remedied using the advice of local experts and support from the Sustainable Development Fund for the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB. As such plans were created for a complete refit of their energy source and heating system to reduce the school’s carbon footprint to net zero.

Presenting the Award, Hannah Blythyn MS said:

“It was a pleasure to be able to present this award to Ysgol Y Foel once again showing how our corner of the country is leading the way on protecting our environment and helping to secure our planet for future generations.

 

It was great to previously have had the opportunity to visit the school and hear the pupils passionately demonstrate the work that had been done to decarbonise the school how they had secured support to make it a reality.

 

Congratulations again to everyone involved in the project and I hope this award inspires others and acts as a trailblazer.”

The Delyn MS was shown the 84 solar panels that have been installed upon the roof space along with Air Source Pumps. The electricity generated will be stored on a power wall to keep the school running even on grey days and at peak times there will be enough energy to sell back to the grid.

Extra funding from the AONB that was secured for the project has allowed Ysgol y Foel to invest within their school. An outdoor classroom has been constructed which is also available for other schools to visit. The wide array of flora and fauna provides excellent education opportunities for not only its pupils but also neighbouring schools.

Headteacher of Ysgol Y Foel Emma O’Neill added:

“I am incredibly proud that we have received the award and look forward to sharing this ground breaking project with other schools to encourage them to reduce their carbon footprint.”