The energy system of a local area is comprised of three main parts:
These parts are distinct from the use of the energy and the things that affect our use such as energy efficiency measures. The use and demand of energy is covered in subsequent chapters on Buildings, Travel & Transport and Businesses & Industry.
Carbon Capture Utilisation & Storage (CCUS) is an emerging technology which has the potential to support a decarbonised energy system alongside hard to abate industrial sectors such as cement, steel and chemical production. It is a technology designed to reduce emissions by capturing, transporting and storing them into deep geological formations. We recognise the role that CCUS can play in the transition to a net zero energy system and will continue to monitor opportunities within the County Borough.
Our energy system is fundamental to almost every area of life. The energy we are supplied, and use to provide heat, power and transportation is currently the source of most of the carbon emissions for our area. Despite huge progress since 2000, our energy system remains dominated by fossil fuels.
We want to develop a net zero energy system by 2050 that harnesses local renewable resources, providing equitable, affordable, resilient and sustainable energy to enable our residents and businesses to thrive. Key to this will be generating clean, low carbon energy solutions that provide healthier and more sustainable living environments.
To achieve this there will need to be a wholesale change in how we generate, store, and utilise energy. It is estimated that this could represent up to a 210% increase in electricity demand up to 2050.
We can tackle this, if we face our future together.
In 2023, energy emissions in Caerphilly County Borough were estimated to total 477 ktCO₂e. Per capita emissions are estimated to be 2.4tCO₂e, ranking the lowest of any Local Authority in the Cardiff Capital Region. This position is mostly because the County Borough is not heavily industrialised as industry accounts for only ~1% of energy demand.
Currently:
84% of electricity is imported through the grid network.
11.6% of electricity is from local renewables (6.2% Ground PV, 4.4% Wind, 1% Rooftop PV)
It is important to understand the energy demand for all end uses of the energy within our local system, as the demand dictates the generation, storage, supply and infrastructure requirements.
Building heat demand accounts for 48% of total energy demand, most of this coming from natural gas as shown above. Electricity accounts for 24% of total energy demand. Combined heat and electricity demand from building represents 72% of demand and 65% of emissions.
Saving energy results in saving money.
Transport accounts for 27% of total demand within the County Borough, and 33% of emissions are from road vehicles. This is heavily influenced by Caerphilly County Borough’s relatively rural nature and high level of residents commuting out of the County Borough for work, although 68% of those in employment travel under 12.5 miles to work.
In 2023-24, Wales & West Utilities (WWU) accelerated their portfolio of innovation projects, spending £2.8m of innovation funding to support the energy system transition and vulnerable customers at pace.
Through research and collaboration, WWU are continuing to develop evidence on the feasibility of repurposing gas networks to hydrogen, and supporting customers through the transition
WWU are upgrading gas pipes through the mains replacement programme, which means that gas networks are largely hydrogen ready in the low-pressure distribution networks.
There are 21 biomethane sites connected to WWU’s network with the capacity to deliver a total of 1.81 TWh of green gas, which is enough to heat around 160,000 homes. The 21st connection was the first in the South Wales area.
UK: Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener is the UK’s overarching strategy which sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet our net zero target by 2050.
Revenues using Incentives to deliver Innovation and Outputs (RIIO): is Ofgem’s approach to ensuring the companies who run the gas and electricity networks have enough revenue to run an efficient network that delivers what customers need and supports the transition towards homegrown, cleaner, cheaper, and more secure sources of energy.
Wales: Net Zero Wales Carbon Budget 2 (2021-25) is Wales’s commitment to tackling climate change and is the start of Wales’s journey to net zero and a greener, stronger, fairer Wales. As part of this budget the Welsh Government aim to virtually eliminate greenhouse and emissions from power station by 2035
Heat Strategy for Wales sets out how we will achieve net zero heat in Wales by 2050 across all sectors.
Region: Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Energy Strategy has a vision to create the conditions for a transition to a carbon neutral economy and society, using low carbon energy as an enabler of economic regeneration, growing our regional income whilst maintaining guardianship of our environment through a laser-focus on clean growth.
Regional Transport Plan: sets out a vision to provide a modern and reliable, sustainable and low carbon transport network, which allows all people the freedom to travel to suit their ambitions and wants, through comprehensive alignment of economic wellbeing, land use, and transport planning.
Caerphilly County Borough: The Caerphilly County Borough Local Area Energy Plan collates the evidence to identify the most effective route to reach a net zero energy system with a vision to transition the local energy system to net zero. This vision is to develop a net zero energy system by 2050 that harnesses local renewable resources, providing equitable, affordable, resilient and sustainable energy to enable our residents and businesses to thrive.
To develop this net zero energy system for Caerphilly County Borough that harnesses local renewable resources:
Supportive Collaboration and Innovation: Collaboration with all stakeholders across the County Borough including public sector and third sector organisations, educational institutions, network operators and the will reduce carbon emissions in energy transmission, storage and distribution and encourage innovation to support a decarbonised energy system.
Working together on the development and delivery of local, regional and national energy plans will ensure a resilient and reliable supply of decarbonised energy.
Supply Chain, Skills and Jobs: Upskilling and Green job creation in the County Borough within energy generation, transmission and storage will support a just transition and develop robust supply chains for a decarbonised energy system.
Indicator | Baseline | Notes |
Reduction in CO2 emissions from Energy | 477 kt CO2e | 2023 LAEP Baseline Data |
Reduction in CO2 emissions from electricity | 119.3 kt CO2e | Local Authority territorial greenhouse gas emissions estimates 2005-2022 (2022 data). |
Reduction in CO2 emissions from gas | 213.5 kt CO2e | |
Increase in Ground Mounted Solar PV | 41.35 MW | Total Installed Capacity 2024 DFES Report. |
Increase in Rooftop PV (Domestic) | 11.263 MW | |
Increase in Rooftop PV (Commercial/Industrial) | 5.38 MW | |
Increase in Wind power | 18.17 MW | |
Increase in Storage | 1.14 MW | |
Increase in hydrogen electrolysis | 0 MW |
Commissioned by Welsh Government, a LAEP has been created for Caerphilly County Borough which sets out the changes needed to transition the full energy system (including demand and use of energy) to net zero by 2050. Stakeholder engagement was a key part of this process, with public and private partners from across the County Borough, as well as regional and national stakeholders such as National Grid Energy Distribution (NGED) and WWU, involved in shaping the LAEP. Through this, collaborative relationships have been built and further strengthened.
Cardiff Capital Region are pioneering a new energy system via Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs) which are instrumental in our journey towards net zero, enhancing understanding of the energy transition and shaping the future of our energy systems. CCR commissioned Arup, Carbon Trust, and Afallen to develop a LAEP for CCBC. LAEPs are driving the transition to a low-carbon economy, fostering a prosperous, fair, and healthy society.
CCR have used strategic collaboration in informing, shaping, and enabling key aspects of our energy transition across a diverse region. Each Local Authority benefits from a unique plan, developed through rigorous technical analysis, offering tailored ‘low regret’ pathways. The diversity of terrain and topography necessitates bespoke solutions. By recognising the unique starting points of each authority, we empower them to confidently own their energy plans.
CCR has established five key objectives to ensure the development of the best possible LAEPs. These objectives include building on existing work, analysing and prioritising decarbonisation opportunities, and fostering partnerships with public bodies, utilities, and private partners. This collaborative approach ensures the creation of optimised and effective energy plans, with shared progress and learning at regional and national levels.
Inclusive stakeholder engagement has gathered perspectives on planned objectives, baselining, scenarios, pathways, and actions, via workshops conducted across the region. Workshops aimed to involve as many stakeholders as possible.
The culmination of these efforts will form the foundation of a National Energy Plan for Wales. This plan will outline a smart, flexible future energy system, enabling sustained local action to tackle climate change. By working together, local and national governments can create an energy system that meets the unique needs of each Local Authority area.
National Grid Energy Distribution (NGED) and WWU, involved in shaping the LAEP. Through this, collaborative relationships have been built and further strengthened.
Public Services Board (PSB) partners and local educational institutions such as Cardiff University are engaged in identifying further opportunities for green energy projects within the County Borough. Innovate UK grant funding is currently being utilised to complete feasibility studies on the development of
.NGED have set up dedicated teams to direct and design the Secondary Reinforcement (Low Voltage and 11kV). Decision making is based on the Distribution Future Energy Scenarios which look at the predicted growth to ensure investments are made in the network to support the growth in anticipation of need.
In the Caerphilly County Borough area, the following schemes have been identified for reinforcement:
Through the delivery of Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 solar PVs have been installed on social housing stock, reducing energy demands on the national grid and costs for the tenants. 47 schools within the County Borough have solar PV installations, contributing to reducing demand on the national grid.
I feel like there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation about climate change and carbon savings. I need information from a source I can trust
Community Energy is a concept that brings local communities together to develop, own and benefit from renewable energy projects. Ynni Cymundeol Cymru | Community Energy Wales is an organisation that supports community energy projects by offering guidance, resources and a platform for collaboration. Egni Co-operative was established in South Wales in 2013 and is now the largest rooftop solar co-op in the UK with over 1,000 members and over 4.4MW of rooftop solar developed on 88 sites.