At a glance:
- Funding extended: Green Business Loan Scheme doubled to £20m, available until 2028.
- Proven impact: More than 30 Welsh businesses already supported, with forecast savings of 28,000 tonnes of carbon.
- Retail relevance: Loans can fund energy-efficient store upgrades such as heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and waste management solutions.
Convenience retailers in Wales looking to invest in greener technologies now have extended support, after the Welsh government confirmed a £10m expansion of its Green Business Loan Scheme, taking total funding to £20m and extending availability until 2028.
Launched in 2023 and delivered by the Development Bank of Wales, the scheme has already backed more than 30 Welsh businesses, helping them cut emissions and boost resilience. The projects supported so far are forecast to save 28,000 tonnes of carbon over their lifetimes.
The scheme is designed to make it easier for businesses to adopt a wide range of energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies, including heating, ventilation, heat pumps, waste management solutions, and building fabric improvements – all highly relevant to convenience retailers managing energy-intensive store environments.
Welsh cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning Rebecca Evans said the £10m extension “demonstrates the Welsh government’s commitment to supporting businesses on their journey to net zero.”
“We are ensuring even more firms can access the support they need to reduce their carbon footprint while strengthening their competitiveness,” Evans added.
For food retailers, energy efficiency is becoming both a cost-control measure and a sustainability driver, particularly as stores look to manage high refrigeration demands while meeting customer expectations around sustainability.
Bethan Cousins, New Business Director at the Development Bank, added: “This further investment will ensure we continue driving meaningful change, supporting businesses of all sizes to adopt technologies that reduce emissions and strengthen energy resilience.”
The Green Business Loan Scheme features a straightforward application process. For more information and guidance, visit: Green Business Loan Scheme - Development Bank of Wales