A new decarbonisation hub developed in Gwynedd will create more than 130 jobs in the area.
The Centre of Excellence in Decarbonisation will open at the former Northwood Hygiene tissue factory which closed in 2020 with the loss of around 100 jobs .
The development is being led by social housing provider Adra, Travis Perkins, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Welcome Furniture.
Phase one of the project has received £230,000 of funding from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Grant, supporting Adra’s growth ambitions with the hub becoming the main base for Adra’s in-house repairs and maintenance team Trwsio.
The 120,000 sq ft warehouse space will be redeveloped into a training facility for demonstrating, installing and maintaining products and materials associated with the decarbonisation of homes.
The hub will develop skills to install and maintain small solar photovoltaic, domestic heat pump and solar thermal hot water systems.
Travis Perkins will also relocate to Penygroes from Caernarfon with an official opening for the hub planned for later in the year.
Partners will also work collaboratively with local sustainable community organisations such as Antur Waunfawr, Biocomposites Center and M-SParc.
Julie James Minister for Climate Change said: "It's inspirational to see the breadth of this innovative partnership's whole system approach to decarbonisation, leading the way on tackling climate change across Wales and showing its commitment to set the highest net zero standards in the UK."
The multi-agency partnership is the first in the UK and is being led by Adra.
The social landlord has also led the Project Sero Net Gwynedd Partnership which supports the transition to decarbonise homes in North Wales and received £589,203 funding from the UK Government's UK Community Renewal Fund earlier this year.
Adra deputy chief executive Iwan Trefor Jones said: "We are so proud of our unique multi-agency partnership, which is the first in the UK, establishing a regionally anchored Centre of Excellence in Decarbonisation in Penygroes.
"Our partnership will ensure that Wales can lead on decarbonisation and learn from the experience to inspire similar approaches throughout the UK. We are accelerating the transition to net zero across our communities, ultimately to reduce bills for residents facing the cost of living crisis."
Mr Jones added: “The long-term benefits are far reaching, acting as a catalyst to bring about the changes needed to decarbonise homes where we operate, regenerating communities and creating new economic opportunities for local people from the Green Recovery.”
Gwynedd Councillor and housing cabinet member, Craig ab Iago added: "It's superb to see the community working together to regenerate this part of Penygroes. The strength of this special partnership is creating a wide range of sustainable job opportunities, providing a pathway for residents out of fuel poverty. Whilst reducing energy bills, local people are learning new skills and carbon footprints are being minimised, enabling a more robust local supply chain.”
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