South Wales Fire and Rescue Service showcases commitment to sustainability at Barry Emergency Services Station

Local people and business benefit from net zero works at service station 

A South Wales emergency service team is tackling climate change head on with the development of the latest solar technology at Barry Emergency Services Station focused on reducing carbon emissions.

During our recent visit to the station, we were able to witness how the introduction of solar panels is already making an impact on the environment. 

The £87k decarbonisation project, supported by The Wales Funding Programme, has brought solar panels to the roof of the appliance bay. This initiative is aligned with the service’s ambitious Carbon Reduction Plan 2020–2023, which aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

The solar panel installation is expected to save around 7.83 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and £13k in energy costs, all while benefiting the community of over 650,000 households served by the fire service. The Wales Funding Programme, delivered by our team at Salix, is a Welsh Government initiative designed to support projects that provide economic, social, and environmental benefits across Wales.

Tracking energy efficiency

After touring the station, we sat down with Shane Evans, the building and maintenance manager at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. He was eager to share more about the technology introduced to boost energy efficiency, including the Solar Edge Monitoring Platform, which tracks the solar installation’s performance. This system provides valuable data that will guide future sustainability projects.

Shane said: "We opted for this technology because it’s alarm-activated for stations. In case of a fire or emergency, the cables are automatically shut down for safety." 

He also explained the importance of working with local contractors. Shane shared how they reached out to nearby organisations for guidance, including Blaenau Gwent Council and Gwent Police. They both have experience implementing similar projects for blue-light buildings. 

Shane added: “It has been key for us to learn from lessons of other stations which enables us to develop what we want to be and lead in excellence.”

Additionally, Shane reflected on lessons learned from Rhondda Cynon Taf, where the service was advised to conduct a survey before beginning projects. These lessons have been crucial in refining the approach taken at Barry Emergency Services Station. Despite the scale of the project, operations at the station continued without disruption. Shane said: “It was vital that operations carried on as normal since the work we do here is crucial for the community.” 

On the day of our visit, we also had the chance to see firsthand how these innovations are shaping the station’s operations.

Rhys White, our client support officer who joined the visit, said: “It was incredible to witness the tangible steps being taken towards sustainability at Barry Emergency Service Station. 

“This initiative not only demonstrates our commitment to reducing carbon emissions but also reinforces the importance of community involvement in building a more sustainable Wales.”

Communicating the work

The service is proactive in communicating its progress. Internally, updates are shared through Spark, the annual digital and print magazine, and Shout, a monthly edition that keeps staff informed. Externally, the service holds various events to engage the community. One such event is 999 Day, an open day where emergency services, including the police, ambulance service, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, demonstrate key processes such as road safety.

Looking ahead, the service has big plans in the pipeline. The solar project marks the start of a series of sustainability initiatives. Additional solar projects are already underway, and the first net-zero fire station in Wales is being developed in Pontypool.

The service is also focused on further decarbonisation efforts. Using its Low Carbon Heat Grant from the Welsh Government, the service is working to decarbonise heating systems and introduce upgrades at Monmouth Fire Station and New Inn Fire Station.

The work done at Barry Emergency Service Station highlights the impact of decarbonisation projects and their role in shaping a sustainable future for Wales. With projects like the solar panel installation, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is setting an example of how public services can contribute to reducing carbon emissions while engaging with the community. This effort reflects Wales’s aspirations to meet its climate goals, all while supporting local economies and enhancing public services.

We’d like to thank South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for hosting our Salix team during the day. We look forward to seeing exciting developments in the future.