Voicing Sustainable Wales support and scaling up climate action together.
PARC SOLAR CAENEWYDD, Gowerton, Swansea
Representative Solar Farm image
To encourage the introduction of renewable energy, recognising the urgency in society to decarbonise, Sustainable Wales (SW) is posting a brief outline of its support for Parc Solar Caenewydd, to interested parties. Our aim is to encourage you to join SW in this initiative, and register your support for this renewable energy scheme. The application is ‘live’ now https://www.parcsolarcaenewydd.co.uk/
This renewable solar scheme, able to power 11,500 homes in South Wales, located near Gowerton, and mainly north of the Afon Llan west of Swansea; is within its statutory consultation phase for the Welsh Government Planning Department. (Until 25th April 2024). It has no public funding.
Sustainable Wales is supporting this project. From our point of view, if renewable energy applications respond to local issues of biodiversity, landscape and the (legally required) 10% of shared ownership for the local community and its economy, we believe it is important that they are welcomed and encouraged.
No planning application is ever perfect, but if on balance this project reduces climate emissions, increases biodiversity, responds to energy security, and helps the local economy, it should be supported.
Add your support here: https://www.parcsolarcaenewydd.co.uk/
Developments of National Significance (DNS)
The planning application has been submitted to the Welsh ministers for examination. The application documents can be found on the DNS website hosted by Planning & Environment Decision Wales (PEDW).
DNS CAS-01900-V0J7C7 - Parc Solar Caenewydd, Gowerton
Consultation started on 21st March 2024 and representations must be received by 25th April 2024. Representations must be submitted to PEDW via email PEDW.Infrastructure@gov.wales; via the website ( https://planningcasework.service.gov.wales/searchresults?q=CAS-01900-V0J7C7 ), or by post to PEDW, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.
Community Energy Wales outline shared ownership here… http://www.communityenergywales.org.uk/en/support/the-shared-ownership-option
Gower Power, a locally based Community Benefit Society. https://www.gowerpower.coop/about-us/ are offering support with this shared ownership scheme.
Update 16 April 2024: Low Carbon Alliance statement:
The applicant has advised that as part of the contractual arrangement with the landowners, one of the two tenant farmers would surrender land within the application site in exchange for replacement agricultural assets (The applicant understands that these include alternative, adjacent to land already being farmed by the tenant). The tenant farmer already took occupation of these nearby replacement fields in March 2022.
The applicant is supportive of the tenant’s transition to the alternative land to ensure it is of the required quality for the tenant’s purposes. The tenant will also continue the use of the farmstead, residence and outbuilding, and will continue to farm the land south of the Afon Llan, outside the development area.
The developer and Estate landlord intend to continue agricultural use within the site by way of sheep grazing during the operational lifetime of the development. The existing Penyfrdau Fawr Farm shop will remain.
The following joint statement prepared by the applicant and tenants“The Developer and the Jones family of Penyfordau Fawr are working together to secure the future of this successful farming business. This will mean that the family will continue to operate the farm and live in and use the farmstead, the Penyfrdau Fawr Farm shop will remain. The Developer’s investment and collaboration with the family and the Landlord has resulted in the new provision of alternative farmland in the local area.”
The key elements of the proposals include:
(Stock image solar farm)
• Renewable energy: PSC’s solar power element will generate up to 46GWh/year of power, in support of the Welsh Government’s target of generating 100% of the nation’s annual electricity demand from renewable sources by 2035.
• Powering 11,500 homes in South Wales.
• Supporting the local farm and shop: The Developer has been working with the Penyfodau Fawr farm in Gowerton to safeguard the local farm shop and business. PSC will allow for sheep grazing among solar panels, allowing for continued agricultural production on the land.
• Community shared ownership: The proposed scheme is committed to a community shared ownership of 10%. Local residents, businesses and organisations may now express interest in sharing ownership of the proposed solar farm by contacting GowerPower, a locally based Community Benefit Society.
• Energy security: The development would contribute towards energy security, and the proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) would provide significant resilience to the local grid network to support growth of additional renewables and avoid potential future brownouts and blackouts.
• Reducing climate emissions and pollution: PSC would reduce fossil-fuel electricity generation emissions by approximately 18,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of taking 4,000 petrol cars off Welsh roads for one year.
• Biodiversity improvements: A wide corridor of habitat creation along the Afon Llan will promote arable bird foraging habitats along with the enhancement and extension of existing habitats. Following consultation, solar arrays have been removed from some fields to protect designated areas of significant nature conservation value. Now, only 39% of the site will have solar arrays, and the scheme as a whole is expected to achieve a biodiversity net gain of at least 26%.
Taiyo Power and Storage is a UK based joint venture between Kajima and Low Carbon Alliance, with projects across the United Kingdom. Taiyo develops both solar power farms and battery storage units.
Information on Welsh Government policy, latest from Climate Change Committee
Public meeting being held - Low Carbon Alliance Solar Energy 16th April 2024.
DATE / TIME
Apr 16, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
DESCRIPTION
Addressing environmental concerns while promoting sustainable energy generation
LOCATION
The Environment Centre, Pier Street, Swansea, SA1 1RY, United Kingdom
The proposed development is mainly located South of the A484 and Swansea Road (B4560).
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge