Siân Gwenllian MS Working for the people of Arfon

Recently Siân Gwenllian MS was at the opening of Tŷ Gwyrddfai, an ambitious decarbonisation project in Penygroes spearheaded by Adra, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Bangor University.

The decarbonisation hub is described by Adra as "groundbreaking" in north west Wales, and was recently officially opened by the Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary.

Local people will remember the building as being the old Northwood factory, but it’s since been transformed into an innovative facility which will ensure that north west Wales is at the forefront of the decarbonisation agenda, and working with communities and businesses to retrofit homes.

Part of Tŷ Gwyrddfai is an innovative research and development facility for testing new decarbonisation technology and materials. Bangor University is leading this project and it has been funded by the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Tŷ Gwyrddfai is home to the head office of Trwsio, Adra's in-house contractor who employs over 150 staff. Travis Perkins has also set up a depot on site to provide materials and supplies to Adra and its contractors.

Furthermore, Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, the commercial element of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai runs training pods on site to offer training in decarbonisation and construction skills, including in areas such as external wall insulation and solar panel installation and repair.

According to Siân Gwenllian:

"It was a heavy blow to Dyffryn Nantlle when the old Northwood factory was closed, but it's nice to see the pioneering Tŷ Gwyrddfai bringing new life to the old hygiene products factory.

"There is hardly anything more fundamental than the right to a roof over our heads, and a safe house to live in. But more than that, our homes need to be homes that are fit for the future, energy efficient and eco-friendly.

"The current housing stock is far from that point, but what is needed to get there is a workforce with the right skills.

"Training and innovation are core principles at Tŷ Gwyrddfai, and they’re also core principles to solving the housing crisis and to the vision of decarbonisation as well.

"Tŷ Gwyrddfai offers an excellent model of collaboration between partners and this is a model to be spread across Wales and beyond so that we have a network of similar hubs all contributing to the creation of new homes that are cheap to heat and are fit for the future.

"Many congratulations to everyone involved in the project."