News
Pembrokeshire’s first Energy Local Club [07.05.26]
We have now launched Clwb Ynni Lleol Bro Rhian – a community energy club that links local homes with electricity generated here in our own area. The model is straightforward: by joining the club, when local renewable energy is being produced, club members can use it at a reduced rate.
There are a number of other Energy Local clubs across the UK, but this is the first in Pembrokeshire. Households in similar schemes typically see savings of around 10–30% on their electricity bills. It also means less reliance on fossil fuels, and more of the money spent on energy stays within the local economy. Our club is supported by a licensed supplier, but is community-led and locally governed.
At this stage, we’re offering the opportunity to register your interest so we can get a clearer picture of demand and move things forward. There’s no commitment at this point, and whilst we unfortunately can’t offer it to everyone, we do have ambitions to expand the club in the future. Because of the location of the energy generation site and its connection to the substation, only households within the area shown on the map below are eligible to join at this stage.
We do expect to have a number of early adopters set up by July, and during this phase membership spaces are limited, so if you’re interested, please act quickly.
If you’d like to understand a bit more about how it works and the tariffs, please visit the website: https://energylocal.org.uk/brorhian
Use the links below to register your interest or view our Frequently asked questions:
The Royal Countryside Fund [11.12.25]
Ynni Bro Rhian is excited to announce that, thanks to funding from the Royal Countryside Fund, we have now appointed a Project Development and Community Engagement Officer. Rachel Lewis will be leading on the project of establishing an Energy Local Club in 2026. This will offer reduced energy costs for local residents, based on the “green energy” generated locally. It will also offer financial benefits to local generators.
Keith Halstead, Executive Director of the RCF commenting on the quality of Ynni Bro Rhian’s grant application stated: “With our latest grants, we want to continue to power up rural communities across the whole of the UK. Our funding is directly supporting community-led organisations, like Ynni Bro Rhian, which are stepping up to provide local solutions to the challenges that their community faces. Ynni Bro Rhian and all the projects that we are funding are a testament both to the incredible untapped potential of our rural communities, but also to their urgent need for more support.”
The Chair of Ynni Bro Rhian, Cllr Neil Prior stated that: “The grant from the Royal Countryside Fund will be transformative for Ynni Bro Rhian in that it will enable it to put into effect its ambitious plans for the community”.
When established, the Energy Local Club will be the first such club in Pembrokeshire, offering financial benefits to residents in the Llanrhian Ward. For more information on Energy Local Clubs please access https://energylocal.org.uk
Individuals, Businesses or local renewable energy generators, who might be interested in supporting the volunteers who have driven the project thus-far, are encouraged to contact the team.
Please email rachel@ynnibrorhian.cymru
Recruiting a Part-time Officer [01.09.25]
Applications are invited for the part-time post of Project Development and Community Engagement Officer. The post holder will be expected to co-ordinate and manage Ynni Bro Rhian’s work of establishing an Energy Local Club.
Details of the job description and application process can be accessed via the following link, which will be open from 5 September 2025.
The deadline for the submission of the application has been set as 4 October 2025.
Ynni Bro Rhian to work with Cwm Arian Renewable Energy [01.09.25]
Ynni Bro Rhian will be working with Cwm Arian Renewable Energy, over the coming months, to carry out a feasibility study on generating green energy through wind power in the locality. The study will aim to identify the most suitable area for a wind turbine to maximise the potential for generating green electricity for the benefit of local residents. Ynni Bro Rhian will collaborate with at least one local landowner during the project. The project has been funded by the “Redress Scheme”.
Ynni Bro Rhian to establish an Energy Local Club [01.09.25]
Ynni Bro Rhian has announced that it is embarking upon its first renewable energy project in the Autumn. The intention is to work with Energy Local to establish an Energy Local Club in the area. By working in partnership with local generators of green energy and a leading “green energy” company, Ynni Bro Rhian aims to offer opportunities for local residents to benefit from reduced energy costs. More information will be released in due course.
For more information: https://energylocal.org.uk/
Ynni Bro Rhian launched a questionnaire, in January 2025, which was completed by 150 residents and local businesses/organisations. The questionnaire related to Ynni Bro Rhian’s future direction. The residents within its catchment area were invited to share their views about potential renewable energy projects. These views have been instrumental in informing the future plans of Ynni Bro Rhian and have set the foundations for its strategic vision.
The results of the survey were shared in an open meeting on the 29 January 2025 and the summary can be seen below.
Ynni Bro Rhian secures a prestigious grant from the Royal Countryside Fund [18.09.25]
Ynni Bro Rhian has secured a prestigious grant to underpin its ambitious plans to support the community within the Llanrhian ward. The Grant of £25,000, awarded by the Royal Countryside Fund, will be used to employ a part-time Project Development and Community Engagement Officer, whose primary role will be to establish an Energy Local Club. It was one of only 8 awarded to community bodies throughout the UK and the only one awarded to an organisation in South Wales.