OVER 100 pupils from three primary schools in the Neath and Port Talbot area are getting all powered-up! That's thanks to energy workshops run by CREATE1, sponsored by npower renewables2.
Photo: Cllr Des Davies (centre) hears about energy efficiency from Ynysfach Primary School Y4/5 pupils during a special workshop run by CREATE and sponsored by npower renewables. Also pictured with the children are (from left): Y4/5 Teacher Mrs Jones, Head Mr Jones, Sandy Carter of CREATE and Natasha Williams who is studying for her NVQ in Childcare.
The pupils, aged between 8 and 11 years of age have been taking part in a variety of workshops from understanding climate change and investigating renewable energy to carrying out a neighbourhood energy trail.
One of the two sessions held at Ynysfach Primary School in Resolven was a neighbourhood energy trail. This involved children from Year 4/5 walking around their village to identify different materials used for window frames, roofs and walls. The children heard how cavity walls could be filled for greater heat retention and the benefits of loft insulation.
Walking around the village, the children were very aware of their surroundings and quick to identify the different materials for roofs.
"The world's energy supplies are not unlimited," Ynysfach Head Teacher Mr Jones says. "npower renewables working with CREATE have made the children aware of this fact and the value of energy conservation in an interesting and enjoyable way. The children are now better informed for their future responsibilities in ensuring energy efficient choices."
Cllr Des Davies, councillor for Resolven and Chair of Governors at Ynysfach School, joined the pupils to hear about what they had learnt and see their results and ideas.
"The children are very enthusiastic about the workshop. I am pleased that npower renewables have sponsored this initiative to teach about the full range of renewable energy options and saving energy at home with double glazing and insulating cavity walls," says Cllr Davies. "In this day and age global warming is more in the news. It is good that young people understand the importance of energy efficiency and the contribution of renewable energy for us all in the future."
The workshops have coincided with the Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks launching a new education initiative to help teach children about how renewable energy can reduce carbon emissions.
Speaking at the Greener Croydon conference on 10 October he said, "With the need to reach out to young people in mind the DTI has produced an education programme that will teach pupils about the role of renewable energy. Under the banner of 'It's only natural', classes in geography, science and a cross curricular programme for primary schools will give the next generation an opportunity to understand more about the importance of renewables."
Pupils in the Neath and Port Talbot area are one step ahead after completing their energy workshops and will soon have their own real-life example of renewable power in action when npower renewables completes construction of its Ffynnon Oer Wind Farm, near Resolven, next Spring. The children have already started learning more about the project that will generate enough electricity every year to supply the average needs of around 17,000 homes - that's equivalent to almost one-third of households in the Neath Port Talbot local authority area.
This amount of clean electricity will also prevent the release of approximately 64,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide - the main greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change.
npower renewables' construction manager for the Ffynnon Oer project, Stuart Quinton-Tulloch, said, "We are delighted that the local primary schools have enjoyed taking part in the energy education workshops run by CREATE, and we are sure that the further workshops taking place at seven more local primary schools and a secondary school in the coming months will be equally well received."
Stuart continued, " npower renewables has sponsored a number of similar workshops elsewhere around the country, helping future generations learn more about the challenges and opportunities of energy generation in the UK. The Ffynnon Oer Wind Farm will be up and running by next summer, and we look forward to providing local schoolchildren with the opportunity to visit their own neighbourhood renewable energy project to get a close up look at renewable power in action."
For further information contact:
- Sandy Carter, CREATE
T: 01942 422 800 or 07979 913 260
- Rachel Sansom, Newsgo PR
T: 01446 744 557 or M: 07753 650 964
- Sara Alan-Smith, PR Officer, npower renewables
T: 01189 59 24 40
Editors Notes
- CREATE is the Centre for Research, Education and Training in Energy. A registered charity, CREATE was established in 1986 with funding from Government & industry to promote energy efficiency in the education sector. Since that time CREATE has developed into one of the UK's leading education organisations working with communities to deliver energy efficiency & sustainability. For more information about CREATE visit www.create.org.uk.
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npower renewables is a leading UK renewable energy generator and is a specialist subsidiary of one of the UK's leading integrated energy companies, RWE npower.
RWE npower is a major employer in Wales operating the following plants:
- Aberthaw Power Station
- Two Combined Heat and Power plants at Barry and Bridgend
- Six hydroelectric schemes in North Wales
- The UK's first major offshore wind farm, North Hoyle, off the North Wales coast
- Six onshore wind farms in Wales, with a seventh "Ffynnon Oer" currently under construction
In all, RWE npower's installed conventional and renewable energy generation in Wales supplies the equivalent of around one-third of Wales' electricity needs.
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