What do we do?

AAT is a community energy project which grew out of a community meeting in 1997. In it, local residents discussed the problems in the Amman and Upper Swansea Valley area. It was agreed that a community owned wind farm would be an innovative and effective method of bringing profits back into the locality through the sale of electricity. The spark had been lit and following is how one idea steadily grew and developed into an ever expanding project for social rejuvenation.

Awel Aman Tawe held one year of consultation from April 2000 - March 2001 about the idea of a community wind farm. The consultation included 13,000 local residents in 14 villages surrounding the site. A referendum was held in March 2001 for everyone over the age of 16. There was a huge turnout in the referendum (48.5%) which was higher than the General Election in some areas. A clear majority voted in favour of the project going ahead.

During the consultation, local residents also emphasised the importance of energy efficiency and other forms of renewable energy. In response to this, AAT now has two full time Energy Efficiency Advisors who help local people, groups and businesses apply for a range of grants available. AAT also undertakes projects using all forms of renewable energy. AAT employs seven full time staff, all from the local area who have been trained up in the specialist knowledge required for the projects.
 
Recent developments for Awel Aman Tawe:
    •    Selected as one of six case studies for the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg by the UK Government's Department for International Development;
    •    Publication of a Toolkit by the DTI on community consultation written by Awel Aman Tawe;
    •    Selected as one of the ten best projects supported by Environment Wales and presented with the award at the National Assembly for Wales by Gwenda Thomas, our local Assembly Member;
    •    Gaining Objective One funding for the next phase of the community wind farm which include undertaking a planning application; now waiting for a responce
    •    Successfully organised the installation of solar hot water panels on 27 projects on local community centres and private houses in GCG, Cwmllynfell, Brynaman, Brynaman public cinema and Cwmgors to name a few; also heat recovery systems on 3 projects as well as small 2 scale PV/Wind turbine projects. AAT Organised the installation of one of the largest school roof photovoltaic panels on GCG Primary School.
    •    Developed a District heating scheme in Heol Y Gelynen, providing heating for a number of houses from a wood chip boiler.
    •    The EDUcan an energy unit AAT had built to attend schools and community events educating the public about energy conservation and sustainable living.