A REPRESENTATIVE of a St Asaph-based company specialising in providing renewable energy solutions says the COP26 summit in Glasgow has so far appeared a ‘positive step in the right direction’ in the tackle against climate change.

Edward Parry is head of business development at JM Renewable Solutions which, since being founded in 2014, has overseen a range of energy-saving installations for domestic and commercial customers such as solar panels and heat pumps.

A draft ‘cover decision’ of the Glasgow agreement, whereby countries outline their emissions-reducing plans and the ways they will work towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2050, was published this morning (November 10).

Mr Parry added that, along with the importance of the conference, which concludes on Friday, the 2015 Paris Agreement, which saw nearly 200 countries commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, is similarly vital in providing a ‘framework’ from which these nations can work.

He said: “The event is vital, as global emissions need roughly to be halved by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.

“The Paris Agreement is providing a framework for financial, technical and capacity building support to those participating countries.

“It (COP26) is certainly a positive step in the right direction as our national leaders map out their plans and pledging commitments to tackle global climate change.

“We are eager to see what implementation strategies are released and the impact it has on global awareness and influencing change in behaviours towards the environment.”

JM Renewable Solutions, which has won such accolades as Solar PV (photovoltaics) of the Year 2021 and Small Scale Project of the Year 2019, has already carried invaluable work in North Wales to combat climate change and rising energy bills.

Among their projects include replacing the ‘outdated, expensive and carbon intensive oil boiler system’ heating Ysgol Y Foel in Mold with an air source heat pump, saving almost 26,000kg of carbon per annum.

Mr Parry said: “The primary focus was to reduce the carbon footprint while simultaneously raising the awareness about what green technologies are available and how they can be used to create enduring economic and environmental benefits.

“The installation included the removal of the existing heating system, replacing radiators where necessary, and installing an air source heat pump system that would be able to cover 100 per cent of the school’s annual heating demand.

“In conjunction with an air source heat pump, we recommended the installation of a solar photovoltaic and a battery storage system that would provide the school with free electric throughout the year.”

The company also installed 150kW solar panels at Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen, as part of a wider project expected to reduce the school’s annual carbon emissions by 73 tonnes, and a total of 310kW of solar panels across the three colleges under the Grŵp Llandrillo Menai umbrella, with an estimated annual saving of 120 tonnes of carbon across the three sites.

JM Renewable Solutions, who had one of the installations featured as part of a recent BBC Wales report on how Denbighshire County Council is fighting climate change, has also carried out hundreds of installations on behalf of various other organisations. These include:

• Arbed am Byth – a company appointed by the Welsh Government to arrange the installation of energy efficiency measures. JM recently completed 700 installs in the North Wales on behalf of the Arbed project, which is managed by Arbed am Byth, and helped reduce homeowner carbon emissions in the region.

• Isle of Anglesey County Council – installations of 119 solar PVs and 28 battery storage systems; helped to eradicate fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions.

• Denbighshire County Council - 54 solar PV and battery storage systems to combat fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions.

For more information, visit: www.jmrenewables.co.uk.