Last year we told you about the roll out of our Optimised Retrofit Programme, a Welsh Government funded project that will see us enhance properties throughout Pembrokeshire to improve living conditions and aid decarbonisation.

The first of the projects to be completed was in Park Avenue in Kilgetty where more than 80 ateb customers have benefited from external wall insulation to boost thermal efficiency and environmental sensors to monitor CO2, temperature, humidity and dew point levels.

Customers have been thrilled with the results following a recent survey, with some saying that they have noticed a difference in how quickly their homes heat up and how the results have been well worth it. Others have reported that the improvements have saved them money and made their home environment cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

In addition to the work at Park Avenue, we have also installed external wall insulation, solar panels and battery storage to 8 bungalows in Garfield Gardens, Narberth and 8 properties in Prescelli Court, Milford Haven. The solar panels will help to reduce electricity bills for residents as less will be taken from the grid while the external wall insulation will ensure that less gas is needed for heating the homes.

Pictured above: Garfield Gardens during the works. Here you can see the external wall insulation being installed.

As the Optimised Retrofit programme continues we have also completed work on 8 properties in Hook, near Haverfordwest. These properties have had extensive improvements and have been part of the Homes as Power Stations project, funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal. These homes, which were formerly using oil heating systems, have benefitted from a rewire, new heating systems, air source heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage, Sunamp heat batteries and smart heating controls.

Our Chief Executive, Nick Hampshire, said: “The Optimised Retrofit Programme has been rolled out throughout Pembrokeshire and both ateb and our residents are thrilled with the results so far. As we move further into the winter and the colder weather bites, we are fully anticipating that our customers not only feel the benefit of their improved living conditions due the external wall insulation, but that their energy bills are reduced from previous years.

“Looking to the future, these types of improvements will become the norm within our housing stock as we move away from oil-based heating systems and more towards greener, smarter alternatives. We look forward to working with our customers in the months ahead as the programme continues throughout Pembrokeshire. We are focussed on making a positive impact on the environment and improving living environments for our ateb communities.”

Pictured above: Paul Edwards – Maintenance Manager and Nick Hampshire – ateb Chief Executive, touring a property in Haverfordwest.

In the first quarter of this year (Jan to March 2025) we will be working in Solva to complete external wall insulation, solar panels and battery storage on 50 properties.

This work is part of a three-year programme to future-proof our housing stock, making us compliant with the Welsh Housing Quality Standard of guaranteeing a SAP rating of 75 or more on all managed properties.

Published: 09/01/2025