Wales & West Utilities becomes the first company to sign the Welsh Government’s Climate Change Pledge - pictured Oliver Lancaster, Wales & West Utilities Future of Energy Manager 

Gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales & West Utilities has become the first company to sign up to the Welsh Government’s Climate Change Pledge.

Wales & West Utilities has pledged to deliver a Net Zero ready gas network by 2035 to support decarbonisation of heat, power and transport.

The commitment was made at Wales' first ever conference on climate change which took place on Wednesday (16 October).

The pledge comes after the Welsh Government were the first parliament in the world to declare a climate emergency in April 2019.

Taking place at Cardiff's City Hall, the conference was held to encourage businesses and individuals to do their bit in combatting climate change. In it, the Welsh Government laid out eight steps they are taking to try and tackle the climate emergency in Wales, which included making it easier for people to use their car less, banning some single use plastics and creating a National Forest.

The pledge is the latest effort as the company continues to tackle climate change. It continues to play a key role in supporting renewable energy and decarbonising the gas grid to heat homes and powering businesses, whilst delivering a Net Zero carbon future.

We have been working for years in reducing our impact on the environment and this pledge is another step in the right direction to collectively respond to the climate emergency we face.

The energy system of the future must deliver what customers want and need: energy that is affordable, secure and green, while minimising disruption to homes and communities.

Our experience of five years of research and practical trials, like our Freedom Project, which has tested smart hybrid heating in homes, will help us work towards a Net Zero ready gas network by 2035.

This means that we are preparing the network to be ready for green gasses, such as biomethane and hydrogen, which will form part of the plan to deliver a Net Zero carbon future in Wales and beyond

Chris Clarke, Energy Strategy Director at Wales & West Utilities

The Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths added:

“Tackling climate change requires collective action from everyone and I am pleased Wales & West Utilities has become the first company in Wales to sign up to our climate change pledge.”

Wales & West Utilities is working hard to design the future of energy. The company has already connected enough green gas to heat over 120,000 homes – with more in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, flexible power stations connected to Wales & West Utilities gas network keep the lights on for more than 3m homes, supporting renewable energy.

You can find out more about Wales & West Utilities future of energy work at www.wwutilities.co.uk/futureofenergy