Theatr Brycheiniog to become first Welsh solar-powered arts venue

Published Thursday 12 June 2008 at 12:00 by Lalayn Baluch

Theatres Trust Conference: Theatr Brycheiniog in Wales is set to become the first arts venue in the principality to be powered by solar energy.

The panels will save the venue 5,095kg of CO2 emissions per annum - the equivalent of running a kettle continuously for 125 days, or running 20 Dell PCs with LCD monitors for 637 days - and cut electricity costs by £1,000 each year.

The installation project will total £60,775 and has been funded by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme, Scottish Power Green Energy Trust, Brecon Beacons National Park Sustainability Fund and the theatre itself.

Speaking at the Theatres Trust’s Building Sustainable Theatres conference, Theatr Brycheiniog deputy director Lee Collins said: “As well as reducing carbon emissions, we also stress that the theatre has a really fantastic role to play in educating the public and children in particular. We are on the way to setting up an education programme, in addition to our environmentally themed productions, children’s events will be advertised as solar-powered theatre.

“In addition to seeing the show, they will learn about why the theatre uses solar energy, and how it will contribute to environmental issues. Also an integral part of the installation is a monitor in the theatre foyer, to log how much electricity is being generated.”

The theatre has just been granted planning permission, the panels will be fitted in August, and Collins hopes the venue will generate its own electricity by September.

Theatr Brycheiniog is part of a consortium of arts organisations called the Mid Wales Entertainment Circuit, and the installation is being piloted on behalf of the group. If successful, the circuit will look to fit solar panels on the remaining member companies.