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Remembering Aberfan with Pontypridd Men’s Sheds
Pontypridd Men’s Sheds welcomed our Co-Executive Director, Leanne Wood to discuss how communities can shape a fairer, greener energy future — while pausing to remember the Aberfan tradgedy on its 60th anniversary.
The Community Energy Wales vision for energy communities was shared with Pontypridd Men’s Sheds, when Co-Executive Director Leanne Wood was invited to speak at one of the group’s regular sessions held at the Taff Meadow Community Hall in Trefforest.
She was welcomed by Roger and Mike who organise regular talks, events and activities for this large group of men of all ages and backgrounds.
Energy Communities are when people in a particular area come together to maximise what they can privately generate through roof top solar, and then supplement that with community owned generation assets (more solar, wind, micro-hydro, shared heating schemes), with that generation being used by that community, and any excess exported to the grid.
sBy maximising what is generated and used locally, without needing to take from the electricity transmission system, costs can be cut for electricity users and generators. This makes more available for profits to be spent by that energy community and reinvested in more generating assets to further cut bills and increase both community and energy resilience.
The Men’s Shed in Pontypridd enjoyed the talk and asked plenty of engaging questions. It was good to hear about people’s concern for nature as well as for their communities. They clearly have a lot of fun too - humour was a big part of what they are all about.
There was, however, a very serious and moving moment at the start of proceedings.
A minute’s silence was held to remember all those lives lost on the 60th anniversary of the avoidable tragedy of Aberfan.
It was poignant and fitting to be thinking about our energy future as communities in the valleys were united in remembering the consequences of the energy industry of the past.
As we think about our future, we must remember and learn from the mistakes made in the past by putting the needs of people and communities at the centre of that future.
You can read about our vision for energy communities here:
https://communityenergy.wales/news/maniffesto-ynni-cymunedol-cymru-gweledigaeth-feiddgar-a-hanfodol