A new school in Gelligaer has saved the council £24,000 in energy costs in its first year of operation.
Greenhill Primary School was the first school in the UK to achieve an Energy Performance Rating of A+. A council report into its first year of operation has revealed it also reduced its projected carbon footprint by 35 tonnes.
The school, which has won numerous awards for its sustainable design, opened in May 2011 and since then has “exported” almost £20,000 worth of electricity back into the National Grid.
It also saved more than £4,700 in electricity charges and Carbon Reduction Commitment tax.
Cllr Ken James, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and sustainability for Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “What a successful year Greenhill Primary School has seen.
“Creating revenue and making huge savings, all through the use of sustainable energy, will benefit everyone in the county borough. Using renewable sources of energy will help protect our environment for future generations, and I am proud that one of our schools is leading the way in highlighting such an important issue.”
The renewable energy used at Greenhill Primary School includes solar panels, wind turbines and a combined heat and power unit.
Plaid Cymru’s Caerphilly County Borough Council group leader Colin Mann has also welcomed the report into the school.
Cllr Mann, who was cabinet member for sustainability when the school opened, said: “Caerphilly County Borough Council under a Plaid administration led the way in providing sustainable buildings for future generations.
“I’m delighted to hear about the savings both financially and in the carbon footprint of the school, which is great news for the environment and I look forward to the continuing future success of the project.”