Latest news with #IwanTreforJones
North Wales Chronicle
26-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Tŷ Gwyrddfai decarbonisation hub showcased at Senedd
The facility, named Tŷ Gwyrddfai, is the first of its kind in the UK and is based in the former Northwood Hygiene Products site in Penygroes. Members of the Senedd learnt about the hub at the event in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday, June 24. The project is a collaboration between Adra, Bangor University, and Busnes@LlandrilloMenai. It aims to put North Wales at the forefront of the decarbonisation agenda and includes 'bespoke' training facilities, run by Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, to teach young people and construction workers decarbonisation and construction skills. The hub, which is home to the head office for Trwsio and a depot for Travis Perkins, also features a research and development facility by Bangor University. This facility is dedicated to testing new technology and materials that align with the decarbonisation agenda. It includes two chambers designed to replicate the inside and outside of a house for climate testing. The hub has received funding from the Welsh and UK Governments. Siân Gwenllian, MS for Arfon, said: "I'm very pleased to bring this innovative decarbonisation hub to the attention of the Senedd today. "It's a privilege to represent an area where ambitious initiatives like Tŷ Gwyrddfai are taking practical and pioneering steps to tackle the climate crisis." Iwan Trefor Jones, chief executive of Adra, said: "We're extremely proud of what we've achieved to date. "It's been a real partnership approach – all working towards the common goal of working towards net zero targets, whilst focussing on training and innovation." Gwenllian Roberts, executive director for commercial development at Grwp Llandrillo Menai, said: "Tŷ Gwyrddfai is pioneering new approaches to delivering professional skills and training that are equipping people and businesses in north west Wales to unlock the potential of net zero." Professor Paul Spencer, pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation at Bangor University, said: "Bangor University's research facility at Tŷ Gwyrddfai offers a clear demonstration of how academic research can directly address the challenges that affect our everyday lives." READ MORE: Top honours for Coleg Menai's most 'outstanding' students He added: "Through this collaboration, we're able to harness academic excellence to support sustainable communities, develop green skills, and drive the transition to a low-carbon future." The decarbonisation hub is seen as a model of collaboration that combines research, training, and economic regeneration. It is hoped that the project can be replicated across Wales.
Business News Wales
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
First Minister Visits Ground Breaking Decarbonisation Hub
First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS has visited Tŷ Gwyrddfai, a ground-breaking decarbonisation hub in Penygroes, to see how the facility is at the forefront of the decarbonisation agenda and efforts to reach net zero targets. The former hygiene products factory has been transformed over the past two years into a decarbonisation hub that is now the head office for Adra's Trwsio in-house contractors, which employs over 150 staff. Travis Perkins have also set up a depot on site to provide Adra and its contractors with materials and supplies. Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, the commercial arm of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, manages training pods on the site, delivering tailored decarbonisation and construction skills to young people and existing members of the construction workforce, especially in areas such as exterior wall insulation, installation and servicing of solar panels, air source heat pumps and battery storage. Bangor University leads on an innovative, state of the art research and development facility dedicated to testing and trialing new technology and materials that align with the decarbonisation agenda. This facility boasts two chambers designed to replicate the inside and outside of a house for climate testing. This facility has been funded by the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund. During the visit, the First Minister met representatives from the partner organisations, as well as people that have directly benefitted from training and upskilling programmes at Tŷ Gwyrddfai. First Minister Eluned Morgan said: 'Reducing carbon emissions from housing is an important factor in tackling climate change, while also helping reduce people's fuel bills. 'Creating green jobs is one of my priorities, so it was great to meet some of the people that have benefitted from the training at Tŷ Gwyrddfai and see how Welsh Government funding is creating new career opportunities for people in Penygroes and the surrounding area.' Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra, said: 'We were delighted to welcome the First Minister to see and hear at first hand from the partners and from people that have benefitted directly from programmes offered at Tŷ Gwyrddfai. 'The development of Tŷ Gwyrddfai will lead to a more qualified and skilled workforce; it will contribute towards reducing carbon emissions in our homes, which in turn will reduce the impact of increasing fuel and energy costs by making our homes more energy efficient and improve the quality of life for our tenants'. Aled Jones-Griffith, Chief Executive Officer – Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said: 'We're incredibly proud of Busnes@LlandrilloMenai's contribution to the Tŷ Gwyrddfai project and the partnership with Adra and Bangor University. This initiative delivers real value for the region by equipping local businesses with the skills to provide net-zero solutions and retrofit services that ultimately drive decarbonisation within the building and construction sector.' Professor Edmund Burke, Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University, said: 'Bangor University is proud to be a partner in the Tŷ Gwyrddfai project, reflecting our ongoing dedication to sustainable innovation and supporting Wales on its path to decarbonisation. 'Since its launch, the research facility offers important insight into the impact of climate change on the construction sector. Together with our partners, we are driving North Wales to the forefront of the green transition, shaping a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for the region.'
