A new shower facility at Pembrey Country Park in Carmarthenshire has been completed as part of an ongoing programme by Carmarthenshire County Council to modernise visitor infrastructure while meeting low-carbon and net-zero requirements.
The project incorporates an air source heat pump system supplied by Baxi to provide hot water for the caravan and camping park, which was named Best Campsite in South West Wales at the 2024 South West Wales Tourism Awards.
The shower block, which serves the council-operated park, is designed to meet current Welsh Building Regulations for new-build developments, including net zero carbon operation for hot water provision.
The development includes five male and five female shower areas, as well as family and accessible facilities, and is intended to accommodate periods of high demand during peak visitor seasons.
Mechanical and electrical consultancy Pursey and Ball was appointed to deliver RIBA stages 2 through 7 of the project, covering design, installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance planning. Baxi was selected as the heating and hot water solution provider and provided technical design support during the development phase.
According to the project team, the system needed to comply fully with CIBSE commissioning standards while offering reliability, long service life, and manageable maintenance requirements.
The installed system consists of a Baxi Auriga HP40 air source heat pump paired with a 1,000-litre Megaflo Flexistore hot water cylinder. The system is fully electric and is intended to deliver a consistent supply of sanitary hot water during busy periods. Baxi engineers carried out commissioning and will continue to support the system through maintenance services, according to ACR Journal.
Mervyn Mayers, director at Pursey and Ball, said: “This project was a dream from Day One. Baxi have taken heat pumps to their heart. They have brought their heating expertise and understanding of hydraulic and modern hydronic systems to their heat pump solutions, which are backed with their signature customer service and backup support.
“Given the greater technical complexity associated with ASHP projects, being able to rely on the experience and support of manufacturers like Baxi will be vital to delivering optimal outcomes.”
The cedar-clad building also includes water-saving fixtures and is supported by 10 kW of on-site solar photovoltaic panels, contributing to the facility’s net zero operation. The council estimates that the shower block can serve more than 100 visitors during peak usage periods while maintaining energy efficiency.
Cllr Aled Vaughen Owen, cabinet member for climate change, decarbonisation and sustainability at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “This project is a shining example of how Carmarthenshire is leading the way in delivering practical, sustainable solutions.
“By investing in renewable technologies at Pembrey Country Park, we are reducing carbon emissions, supporting our climate commitments, and enhancing the visitor experience at one of our most popular destinations.”
Mark Field, national leisure sector manager at Baxi, said: “This project is a great example of how forward-looking councils like Carmarthenshire Council can use renewable solutions to reduce emissions while achieving high visitor comfort. We are proud to have played a part.”
For operators across the outdoor hospitality sector, the project highlights how renewable hot water systems, when integrated early in the design process, can support regulatory compliance, reduce long-term operating costs, and improve resilience during peak occupancy, particularly in facilities with high and predictable hot water demand.