LGV was formed in 2009, when a group of local residents got together to look at ways of creating a greener, more sustainable future for the community. Their aim was to harness natural local resources including water, wood fuel and solar power to help people save money and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

They also wanted to explore ways of working together to create a richer way of life, from growing more food locally, to helping people learn new skills and creating rewarding local jobs.

The organisation was formally incorporated as a community interest company in May 2010, with the key aim of making Llangattock carbon negative by the end of 2015. Since then, LGV has won the Wales and UK heats of British Gas’ Green Streets competition and with its trading subsidiary LGV Ventures has delivered a range of innovative energy-saving and renewable-energy projects in Llangattock and the surrounding area.

These are our objectives:-

(i)     The generation, distribution and use of sustainable energy and associated carbon credits coupled with the reduction of energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions

(ii)   Implementing, supporting and advising on projects or works that deliver sustainable improvements to the local environment

(iii) The promotion and delivery of education and training into the community and surrounding area to support the objectives of sustainable energy generation, distribution and carbon credits, reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions whilst increasing local environmental awareness and green energy generation

(iv) The promotion and delivery of commercial enterprises that support the objectives of generating and distributing renewable energy and associated carbon credits, reducing non-sustainable energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions whilst creating local employment opportunities

(v)   Acquiring and distributing funds, guidance and support to local groups and other community interest projects that support the objectives of generating and distributing renewable energy and associated carbon credits, reducing non-sustainable energy usage and greenhouse gas emission and deliver sustainable improvements to the local environment.

If you feel you can contribute in any way please contact us.

Below is an overview of LGV’s earlier innovative energy-saving and renewable-energy projects through the:

British Gas Green Streets competition:

• 96kWp solar PV scheme plus energy efficiency improvements for the village primary school
• 16kW air source heat pump for the community hall
• Solar-powered borehole irrigation system for the Llangattock Area Community Allotment Society
• Funding towards a firewood processor, chainsaw, tools and personal safety equipment for the Llangattock Community Woodland Group (now Llangattock Community Woodlands)
• Energy efficiency improvements for 38 homes, including 8 new boilers, 7 loft and/or cavity wall insulation upgrades, plus energy monitors, reflective radiator panels, energy-efficient kettles and PC/TV standby savers
• 12 domestic solar PV installations, 1 combined solar thermal and biomass boiler installation, and 2 wood-burning stoves
• Initial feasibility study for an anaerobic digestion facility on the Glanusk Estate
• Initial feasibility studies for 5 potential micro hydro schemes in Llangattock and the surrounding area
• £100,000 BG Green Streets first prize fund for the development of community micro hydro schemes.

Local Energy Assessment Fund:

• Energy-saving voltage optimisation units for 125 homes, insulation upgrades for 54 homes plus external wall insulation for 1 home and a 16kW air source heat pump installed in another as demonstration projects
• Insulation improvements, an electricity sub-meter (for improved energy monitoring) and energy-efficient lighting for the community hall
• Energy-efficient lighting for the primary school.

Customer Led Network Revolution project:

• 5 domestic air source heat pumps.

Awards For All:

• Creation of an online energy audit tool, to help residents track their monthly energy use and renewable energy generation.

Ynni’r Fro:

• Full feasibility study for the Glanusk Estate anaerobic digestion facility. The scheme was designed to produce biogas, mostly from grass clippings produced on the estate, and the feasibility study was completed in February 2013 with the project being shown to be viable. Ultimately, however, the Estate decided not to proceed to the working up stage.

Reach For The Renewables, LGV’s community group-buying scheme:

• Domestic and commercial solar PV installations, new boilers and insulation upgrades.

For details of our micro hydro projects, please visit our hydro section.