A major programme of work has started to improve energy efficiency at Torbay Council-owned buildings including six schools across Torbay.

The investment will see solar panels and other energy-saving measures installed to reduce energy use and carbon emissions across our estate.

The £730,000 programme supports our progress towards becoming a net zero carbon council by 2030.

Cutting carbon emissions from energy use in buildings is a major step to reaching the target and will also result in lower energy bills.

The buildings have been carefully chosen to deliver maximum impact from the work.

Those in the first phase will get rooftop solar panels, improved insulation, LED lighting and one site will also get air source heat pumps.

They are:  

• SWISCo Highways Depot, Aspen Way, Paignton
• Brixham Harbour Offices
• Torbay Business Centre, Lymington Road, Torquay
• Sherwell Valley Primary School, Torquay
• Mayfield Chestnut Centre, Brixham
• Mayfield School, Torquay
• Watcombe Primary School, Torquay
• White Rock Primary School, Paignton

Work at the first schools started in August 2026 and will take place as far as possible to avoid disruption to learning.

The first phase is due to be complete by March 2027. The second phase including another school will see further solar panels and insulation installed during 2027.

As well as savings on energy bills and cutting carbon emissions, the work will improve our assets and improve comfort for the people who use the building through the insulation and LED lighting.

This will deliver a better learning environment for hundreds of children and young people at the schools involved.

The programme is estimated to save more than 7,000 tonnes of carbon during the lifetime of the technology.

This represents a 6per cent reduction in our carbon footprint and is estimated to save more than £90,000 a year from the energy bill.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Lead for Climate Change, said: "This programme of work is a sensible investment.

"We will be generating our own clean energy, cutting carbon emissions, improving our buildings and saving money all at once.

"The insulation and LED lighting will improve conditions for users, and it is fantastic that so many of our children and young people in schools across Torbay will benefit from more comfortable classrooms.

"At the same time, the reduction in carbon emissions resulting from this programme will help us make significant progress towards our Net Zero 2030 target."

The energy efficiency programme is the latest scheme brought forward to reduce carbon emissions under our Climate Change Action Plan.

A project at Sherwell Valley Primary School was carried out this summer to install air source heat pumps, with funding of £311,600 from the national Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

That is expected to save an estimated 32 tonnes of carbon and cut thousands of pounds from the school's energy bill every year.

Meanwhile a major project to upgrade the streetlighting network across Torbay is due to be completed in November.

The more flexible high-tech system will see a significant fall in energy use and is estimated to cut more than 230 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

Other recent schemes include: 

• Decarbonisation of Paignton Library with new heat pumps.
• Funding for three council electric vehicles.
• Improving procurement and commissioning to cover carbon and sustainability accounting from the start.
• A brand-new fleet of electric buses for Torbay.
• Energy efficiency measures at Torbay Leisure Centre including solar panels and air-source heat pumps.  
• Heat pumps at the Arid House at Torre Abbey.  
• Planting 2,000 new trees across the Bay through Forestry Commission grants. These have created long-term woodland areas, helping to support biodiversity and store carbon. 

Find out more about our Climate Change Action Plan: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/climate-change/torbay-council-climate-change-action-plan/