Cynghorydd Ynni Cymunedol / Community-based Energy Advisor

Severn Wye Energy Agency

Our project, Empowering Ceredigion, provides county-wide support to tackle fuel poverty. We help people understand how they’re using energy, and how they can manage and reduce fuel debt. We can also speak to their energy supplier and advocate on their behalf. Ultimately, our aim is to empower people to be able to take control of their energy situations for themselves, and heat and power their homes comfortably and affordably. 

My ‘patch’ for the project is the Ceredigion coast; south from Llanon to Cardigan, but we cover the whole of the county, and I could happily put you in touch with a colleague serving your area.

In the last 2 years we have seen a record level of demand for our services as more and more people can’t afford to top up their prepayment meter or pay their energy bill. Fuel poverty in Wales is officially defined as a household needing to spend more than 10% of their income to maintain a satisfactory heating regime. Any household having to spend more than 20% is defined as being in severe fuel poverty. 

There are three ways you can access our services: 

• Fill in a referral form for your client  

• Contact us or pass on our details to your client to schedule an appointment at one of our regular drop-ins

• Let your client know they can just turn up at one of our drop-ins 

We can run presentations at your regular team meetings, helping your team to recognise fuel poverty and showing you how to use our referral system. Please contact us to discuss and arrange a presentation or more generally for further information.