Newport city council invests £1.4m in energy efficiency upgrades across key public facilities
Swimmers and theatre-goers are among those to benefit from Newport City’s green initiative.
Welsh Government Re:fit project is helping reduce city’s carbon emissions
More than £1.4m will be invested in Newport City to help the public sector improve energy efficiency.
Newport City Council will invest the funds into a Re:fit project which is being rolled out across several key locations including the Riverfront Theatre, the Regional Pool and Tennis Centre.
The Welsh Government’s Re:fit framework has allocated up to £635 million in grant funding to public sector organisations for the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25.
The Re:fit scheme aims to provide a structured, cost-effective approach to upgrading building energy systems, delivering both economic and environmental benefits while promoting sustainability across public sector facilities.
Carbon Reduction Manager at Newport City Council, Eloise Laity said: “Utilising Re:fit allowed us to address numerous sites with bespoke solutions, fostering both environmental and workplace improvements.
“Witnessing the engagement across all sites was inspiring, and the opportunity to connect with the broader council, site personnel, and schools underscored the broader impact of our efforts beyond just reducing carbon emissions.”
Witnessing the engagement across all sites was inspiring, and the opportunity to connect with the broader council, site personnel, and schools underscored the broader impact of our efforts beyond just reducing carbon emissions
Riverfront Theatre, an iconic cultural venue in Newport, has already undergone substantial upgrades thanks to the Re:fit funding, including the installation of advanced energy-efficient lighting.
The lighting has been used for various drama and comedy productions, including classic plays, contemporary dramas, and comedic performances.
LED lighting offers significant benefits over traditional stage lights, as it produces less heat, creating a more comfortable environment for performers.
This technology also provides a broader spectrum of colour options and more precise control over lighting effects, allowing scenes to be lit more creatively. This could help to enhance the mood and atmosphere of performances, treating audiences to richer visuals.
The council says these improvements are expected to reduce the theatre’s energy consumption by up to 25%.
The Regional Pool and Tennis Centre, in Newport, is a popular recreational hub for the city and has also benefitted from a range of energy-saving measures. Upgrades include new pool covers, LED lighting and energy management systems designed to cut energy use by approximately 30%.
For swimmers it means that the pool temperature is more constant thanks to the pool covers which help minimise heat loss by providing an insulating layer over the water.
The project has also encompassed several other public buildings across Newport including several high schools and primary schools where draught-proofing, improved heating and cooling systems, smart energy controls and LED lighting have been installed
Students and teachers now have a more uniform lighting system and with less glare on their screens their work is positively impacted.
Overall the project is anticipated to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with an expected decrease of 342 tonnes of CO2 per year.
The council’s latest initiative outlines a comprehensive plan to cut the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50% over the next decade. This bold strategy includes a range of measures designed to promote sustainability, enhance energy efficiency, and foster community engagement.
As part of its commitment to reducing emissions from transportation, the council is expanding the city's network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Plans include installing two hundred new charging points across Newport and support residents who do not have off-street parking to move to electric vehicles.
Looking ahead, Newport Council is also leading the delivery of Newport’s Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) to expand its impact and share best practices. By fostering collaboration and innovation, Newport aims to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and inspire broader change across the UK.
