Up to £25,000 Available Through the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant
Applications are currently open for the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant, which is offering up to £25,000 to help not-for-profit sports clubs and community groups in Wales fund energy-saving improvements to their facilities.
With rising energy costs continuing to place financial pressure on sports clubs, leisure centres and community venues, the Energy Saving Grant offers support for organisations looking to reduce costs, improve resilience and invest in more sustainable buildings.
Solar panels and battery storage are included in the grant’s list of eligible projects, alongside LED lighting, movement sensors, insulation, more efficient heating systems, new windows and doors, and sustainable water-harvesting systems.
A Cost and Carbon Saving Opportunity for Sports and Leisure Facilities
For sports and leisure clubs that are considering investing in renewable energy projects, the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant presents a very real opportunity to receive capital funding and accelerate solar PV and battery storage projects.
Sports clubs and leisure facilities are often among the most energy-intensive buildings in their communities. Swimming pools, gyms, changing facilities, sports halls and community spaces typically consume significant amounts of electricity throughout the day, making them ideal candidates for solar energy generation and battery storage.
By generating renewable electricity on site, organisations can reduce reliance on grid electricity, protect themselves from future energy price volatility and lower carbon emissions. Battery storage can further increase savings by storing excess solar energy generated during the day and making it available when demand is highest, helping organisations maximise self-consumption and improve energy resilience.
Who can apply for the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant?
The grant is open to not-for-profit sports clubs, leisure centres and community groups in Wales. Applicants may also be asked to complete an energy survey as part of the Stage 2 application process.
To be eligible:
- The project must take place in Wales
- The project must primarily benefit people living in Wales
- Applicants must own the building or have at least seven years remaining on their lease
- Projects must not have started before funding approval
- Projects must begin by 31 March 2027
- Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the grant.
Key Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant dates
The current application window is closing soon and Sport Wales aims to respond to Expressions of Interest within two working days. With the Expression of Interest deadline approaching, organisations considering solar PV and battery storage should act quickly. Contact SolarSense to discuss your project, explore the funding opportunities available and understand what could be achieved at your facility before applications close.
Expression of Interest closes: 5pm, 29 June 2026
Stage 1 application closes: 3pm, 1 July 2026
Stage 2 opens: 10am, 22 July 2026
Stage 2 closes: 3pm, 7 October 2026
Freedom Leisure’s Sport Wales-Funded Solar PV Project
SolarSense recently partnered with Freedom Leisure to deliver a major solar PV and battery storage rollout across England and Wales, including a large-scale solar PV system at LC Swansea. Partially funded through the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant, the 616-panel commercial solar PV system is expected to save the organisation around £44,500 per year, with projected payback achieved within approximately 3.5 years.
The installation forms part of Freedom Leisure’s wider Clean Energy Scheme, a ten-site solar PV and battery storage programme designed to reduce exposure to rising energy costs, improve energy resilience and accelerate progress towards Net Zero.
Across the programme, SolarSense is helping Freedom Leisure generate more than 1.5GWh of renewable electricity annually, reducing carbon emissions by 327 tonnes per year and delivering projected savings of more than £12.7 million over the next 25 years.
How SolarSense Can Support Your Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant Application
SolarSense has more than 30 years of experience helping organisations reduce energy costs, strengthen energy resilience and accelerate progress towards Net Zero through award-winning solar PV and battery storage projects. Having delivered more than 15,500 renewable energy installations across the UK for organisations such as London Stadium, Bristol Bears, and LC Swansea, our team understands how to develop solar PV and battery storage projects that deliver long-term financial and environmental benefits.
Our team can support your organisation with:
- Initial site assessments
- Solar PV and battery storage feasibility studies
- Energy generation forecasts
- Budget cost estimates
- System design and specification
- Installation and commissioning
- Ongoing monitoring and maintenance
With grant deadlines approaching, now is the ideal time to start planning your renewable energy project. Contact SolarSense today to discuss your requirements and discover how organisations across the sports, leisure and public sectors are using solar PV and battery storage to reduce costs and improve energy resilience.
FAQs
Can the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant be used for solar panels?
Yes. Solar panels are included in the list of eligible projects supported by the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant. Installing solar PV can help sports clubs, leisure centres and community organisations generate renewable electricity on site, reducing reliance on the grid and lowering long-term energy costs.
Can the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant be used for battery storage?
Yes. Battery storage is also included in the grant’s list of eligible measures. Battery storage systems allow organisations to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it when demand is highest, helping maximise self-consumption, reduce electricity imports and improve energy resilience.
Does my organisation need to contribute towards the project cost when applying for the Sport Wales Energy Saving Grant?
Yes. Sport Wales states that applicants must contribute at least 20% of the total project cost. The grant can therefore significantly reduce the upfront investment required, helping organisations bring forward energy-saving and renewable energy projects sooner.
How long does it take for a solar PV system to pay for itself?
Payback periods vary depending on energy usage, electricity costs, system size and available funding. However, solar PV projects can often achieve payback within as little as 2-4 years. At LC Swansea, the solar PV system installed by SolarSense is expected to achieve payback in approximately 3.5 years.
Can SolarSense help assess whether solar PV or battery storage is suitable for our sports or leisure facility?
Yes. SolarSense can support organisations with feasibility assessments, site surveys, energy analysis and project scoping to help determine whether solar PV and battery storage are suitable for their facility. This can provide valuable information before a funding application is submitted.
Protect Your Business from Rising Energy Costs with Solar PV and Battery Storage
SolarSense is a Certified B Corp™, committed to the highest standards of quality and environmental performance, backed by ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation. We consult, design, install, monitor and maintain award-winning solar and battery storage systems for businesses and public sector organisations.
Are you interested in finding out how much you could save with renewable energy? Request your free savings assessment and get a tailored breakdown of your potential energy cost reduction, carbon savings, and return on investment.