Community Power Revolution: Wales Takes Next Step in Renewable Energy

YnNi Teg is moving forward with the feasibility stage of Wales’ first community renewable energy project, using a virtual power plant (VPP) approach.

The proposed project, Project NUR, aims to explore how solar panels and home battery systems could one day be offered to residents in Cardiff and Newport at no upfront cost, to help lower household electricity bills. To get the most benefit from the solar panels and batteries, they would be connected into a wider community network using specialised software that will maximise savings – a ‘virtual power plant’ (VPP).

The aim is that a community-owned not for profit organisation would own and maintain the solar and storage. Participants would pay a percentage of their electricity bill savings to this organisation (a low-risk option for households), set at a level to pay off the costs of the equipment and organisation’s running costs.

Project NUR is open to all owner occupiers and private renters in Cardiff and Newport, including those who may not be eligible for energy efficiency grants and those with limited disposable income such as older people or those moving home. It will first focus on engaging with residents who would not normally be able to afford solar panels and a battery, such as low-income households, ethnic minority communities, disabled people and those living with a chronic illness.

Project NUR will also work with community organisations and businesses to learn about how best to offer local enterprises solar and storage at no upfront cost. This presents a holistic approach that would widen community benefit beyond participating households. It could fast track renewable installations for community organisations that lack resources to fund raise and manage that process.

At this stage, we want to engage with households via events and home visits to find out what approach would best meet residents’ needs. Residents’ views will inform the final offer, contractual agreements, and the community-owned organisation’s structure and processes. We also would love to find out from community organisations how Project NUR could best work for them. With community input, YnNi Teg will design a practical offer and business plan, with the goal of starting installations in 2027.

Project NUR follows a successful collaboration between the Bengal Dragon Foundation and YnNi Teg which successfully installed solar panels and battery storage in seven mosques in South Wales in 2024-2025.

If you’re a community organisation and we could offer a short presentation about Project NUR at your centre, please do get in touch. Visit the website for more information and send a request via the Contact Us form, or email hello@projectnur.cymru

For further information please contact:

Karen Smith Communications and Engagement Manager / Rheolwr Cyfathrebu ac Ymgysylltu

E: karen@ynni.teg T: 07833 064856

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