Survey seeks opinions on energy and transport use across Powys and Ceredigion

Residents of Powys and Ceredigion are being asked to share their views on energy and transport in the two counties as part of a transition to Net Zero by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

A public engagement energy survey has been commissioned by Growing Mid Wales, a partnership between Ceredigion and Powys County Councils, which is seeking views before the closing date of March 31. Take part in the survey online at https://bit.ly/MidWalesLAEP  .
 
Part of local area energy planning (LAEP) across Wales, the survey is seeking residents’ opinions on current energy and transport use, low-carbon energy technologies and heating systems and sustainable travel options.
 
All the LAEPs in Wales, which must be completed by the end of March, will inform the creation of a National Energy Plan for Wales, mapping out future energy demand and supply for all parts of the country.
 
Ceredigion County Councillor Keith Henson, cabinet member for highways and environmental services and carbon management and Powys County Councillor Jackie Charlton, cabinet member for a Greener Powys, issued a joint statement.
 
“Local area energy planning identifies the change needed to the local energy system and sets out the detail needed to meet emission targets from now up until the net zero target by 2050,” they said.
 
“This survey is an important piece of that planning. The more residents that take part means that there’s more data to better understand the opportunities and challenges that Mid Wales face to transition to net zero.”
 
“Insights from the survey will highlight potential future actions for local councils, electricity and gas network providers and other local parties, aiding us to move to more environmentally friendly sources of energy.”
 
The LAEP work is led by Energy Systems Catapult who are working closely with Ceredigion and Powys County Councils.
 
Richard Leach, senior local energy transition advisor at Energy Systems Catapult, said: “To get to Net Zero, we need to urgently act. To meet our Net Zero targets we need local action, carried out in a strategic, cost-effective way, backed by significant investment.
 
“That is why we pioneered Local Area Energy Planning. It is an integrated, data led planning approach designed to help local areas plan and help deliver their future Net Zero energy system.
 
“LAEPs can co-ordinate, quantify and de-risk the investment needed but key to any good LAEP is local engagement and local buy in.”