Our partnership with local community energy group Bro Dyfi Community Renewables (BDCR) is helping CAT reduce emissions, cut costs, and explore new ways of managing energy on-site. 

At CAT, we’re always looking for ways to deepen our commitment to renewable energy and demonstrate practical solutions to the climate crisis – that’s why we’re excited by the latest developments coming out of our partnership with BDCR.

A Longstanding Local Partnership 

BDCR was founded in 1999 with a clear mission to develop community-owned renewable energy projects that benefit the local area. Since then, they’ve delivered three major installations – a 75kW wind turbine in 2000, a 300kW turbine in 2006, and most recently, a 300kW ground-mounted solar array completed in early 2024. 

While you can’t quite see the solar from the CAT site, both turbines are visible from CAT’s Quarry Trail Walk.  

Solar Power, Shared Benefits 

As part of their latest project, BDCR has connected 60kW of solar capacity directly to CAT’s electrical system. This means that during bright daylight hours, CAT is 100% powered by locally generated energy from the BDCR solar and CAT’s own existing renewables on site 

It’s a win-win: BDCR earns more by selling directly to a local user, and CAT pays less than it would for grid electricity. 

This marks the first direct energy supply from BDCR to CAT since the mid-2000s, when CAT stopped purchasing electricity from BDCR’s original turbine due to internal site changes. The new connection re-establishes that relationship – and takes it further. 

Smarter Energy with Storage and EV Charging 

To make the most of this new solar connection, CAT is also working with BDCR and Dulas Engineering (a very successful company that span out from CAT) on a battery storage and EV charging project. This system allows us to store excess solar energy during sunny periods and use it later – such as at night or during peak demand times. 

This approach, known as peak shaving, helps reduce the amount of electricity we need to import from the grid. By monitoring energy use across the site and adjusting battery output in real time, we can smooth out demand and make better use of the renewable energy we generate. 

It’s a great example of how smart technology can support sustainability goals – and it’s already making a difference. At times, CAT is running entirely on renewable energy, with surplus electricity being exported to the grid. 

Looking Ahead 

This project is more than just a technical upgrade – it’s a demonstration of what’s possible when communities and organisations work together to build a more sustainable future. By combining local investment, renewable generation, and smart energy management, we’re showing how the transition to zero carbon can be practical, affordable, and community-led. 

We’re proud to be working with Bro Dyfi Community Renewables again and excited about the opportunities this partnership creates – not just for CAT, but as a model for others looking to take climate action at the local level. 

This article is based on a conversation with Tim Brewer, a founding member of BDCR and long-time collaborator with CAT. Our thanks to Tim for sharing his insights and helping to share this story.