Gwyrdd Bangla Community project

Gwyrdd Bangla is a pioneering renewable energy initiative led by the Bengal Dragons Foundation, designed to decarbonise and empower communities across Wales by aligning climate justice, community engagement, and clean energy through the lens of faith.

With generous support from Ynni Cymru, Ynni Teg, and the Welsh Government Energy Service, the project has successfully delivered solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems across multiple mosques in South Wales, helping to reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and build local resilience.

How It All Started

The idea for the Gwyrdd Bangla project emerged in 2023 through a series of heartfelt community conversations. Rising energy bills, the growing urgency of climate change, and a shared desire to live in accordance with Islamic teachings on environmental care inspired the Bengal Dragons Foundation to explore renewable energy solutions for Muslim communities, particularly in mosques and community hubs that serve as the beating heart of daily life.

As concerns around energy access and affordability grew, we began to ask: What if our mosques could become models of sustainability? What if faith, climate justice, and local leadership could come together in one unified effort to serve the environment and the people?

Thanks to grant funding from Ynni Cymru, along with the technical partnership of Ynni Teg and strategic support from the Welsh Government Energy Service, this vision became a reality. The Gwyrdd Bangla Community Energy Project was born.

Phase 1: Completed Across South Wales

Between 2024 and 2025, Phase 1 of the project saw the installation of solar PV and battery storage systems at seven mosques across South Wales:

  • Dar-ul-Isra Mosque – Cardiff

  • Madni Mosque – Cardiff

  • Iqra Mosque – Newport

  • Shaporan Mosque – Newport

  • Barry Mosque – Barry

  • Port Talbot Mosque – Port Talbot

  • Neath Mosque – Neath

 Each of these mosques is more than just a place of worship, they are vibrant community centres offering support, advice, education, and connection to families, elders, and young people. By equipping them with clean, modern energy infrastructure, we are helping to future-proof their facilities and reduce long-term reliance on fossil fuels.

This first phase included rooftop solar installations, battery storage systems, electric vehicle (EV) charging points, and infrared heating in selected sites to improve energy efficiency. Alongside the technical work, Bengal Dragons Foundation facilitated community events, site visits, and awareness campaigns, making clear links between environmental care and Islamic teachings around responsibility and stewardship of the earth.

Looking Ahead: Phase 2 in North and West Wales

With Phase 1 now successfully completed, Bengal Dragons Foundation is preparing to launch Phase 2, extending the Gwyrdd Bangla project to North and West Wales. This new chapter builds on the strong foundations laid in the south, replicating the successful solar PV and battery storage model while introducing solar thermal technology as an additional and innovative energy solution.

By incorporating solar thermal systems, Phase 2 will enable participating mosques not only to generate electricity but also to harness solar energy for hot water, particularly beneficial for ablution (wudu) facilities, where water heating demand is high. This enhancement furthers our commitment to sustainable design tailored to the practical needs of faith spaces.

Phase 2 will also include a pilot of the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) model, an exciting innovation in community-based energy sharing. Additionally, we will develop bilingual educational resources to support long-term learning and involvement across Wales’s diverse communities.

As we move into this next stage, we are actively seeking new partners, funders, and community sites who share our vision for faith-driven climate action. If your mosque or organisation would like to be involved, we would love to hear from you.

Join the Movement

This is only the beginning. The Gwyrdd Bangla project has shown that climate action doesn’t need to be distant, technical, or exclusive. It can be local. It can be faith rooted. And it can be deeply human.

If you would like to learn more, support Phase 2, or explore bringing the Gwyrdd Bangla project to your community, please contact us at:

info@bengaldragonsfoundation.org