Dale Fort in Pembrokeshire was at one time recorded as being the sunniest place in Wales having up to 1600 hrs of sunshine a year!
Capatalising on this opportunity, the staff at Field Studies Council Dale Fort initiated the sustainable plan to capture the sun’s power to use at the centre installing a Solar PV, creating a renewable energy source for the centre which has led to fantastic results
What was the challenge?
Field Studies Council Dale Fort Field Centre is a large centre with 3 accommodation blocks, across 6 floors. This means there is huge demand on electricity for the centre’s needs. The plan to install a Solar PV would reduce the use of electricity substantially, allowing the centre to run far more sustainably in line with the Field Studies Council’s carbon reduction plan.
How did the initiative help?
The installation of the Solar PV has meant that the centre is now able to produce sustainable electricity to power it’s lighting.
What are the benefits?
Dale Fort is now 23% self-sufficient, and able to use 79% of the electricity that is generated.
What else does Dale Fort do to support Nature?
Other wildlife support offered by the centre include a grazing agreement with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, allowing wild ponies to fields over winter.
The landscape also offers the perfect terrain for Choughs, an endangered sea bird, afforded the highest degree of legal protection under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Choughs need uncultivated coastal grassland to feed on and cliffs for nesting. Dale Fort provides both these needs, and proudly boasts a pair of these beautiful birds which nest in the vicinity.