Further consultations to be held on plans for huge new Fforestfach solar farm

The exhibition will take place at Loughor Welfare Hall on Woodlands Road on 6th March from 2pm to 5.30pm.

These form part of a series of presentations and exhibitions that began in 2022 for local residents, politicians and other key community stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposals, which would generate the same power as used by more than 11,500 homes in the local area.

A number of Councillors and Senedd members alongside local residents have already commented during the first and second exhibition held last year.

The proposed development includes 57 hectares of green infrastructure with improved wildlife habitats for residents to enjoy along the footpaths – more lapwing, snipe, meadow pipit and finch bird species, butterflies, dragonflies, common lizard and slowworms may all inhabit the valley once the proposed habitats have established.

Sheep would be grazed amongst the solar arrays, allowing for continued agricultural production on the land in tandem with increasing biodiversity and generating renewable energy.

Parc Solar Caenewydd is being promoted by Taiyo Power & Storage, a joint venture between developer and investor Kajima, which was recently appointed to deliver the new Velindre Cancer Centre in South Wales, and sustainability specialist Low Carbon Alliance Limited. Launched last year, Taiyo is putting forward proposals for a number of solar and battery storage sites across the UK; this renewable power station would support the Welsh Government’s commitment for the country reduce emissions by 63% by 2030 and become net zero by 2050.

The company says that by providing a renewable energy source that will generate up to 44MW of power for export into local electricity circuits and provide power equivalent to that consumed by approximately 11,500 homes across the SA4 3, SA4 4 and SA5 4 postcode areas (based on 2020 energy usage figures), 9,282 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be saved – the equivalent of taking 2,000 petrol cars off Welsh roads for one year. A further benefit would be the proposed battery energy storage that will provide resilience to the local power network to facilitate more renewable energy production and distribution to local homes and businesses.

As the solar farm is over 10MW, it is classed as a development of national significance, which means that the Welsh Government would make any planning decisions rather than Swansea Council.

Swansea Council cabinet member for environment, Cllr Andrew Stevens has recently spoken out against the plans.

Cllr Stevens, a local farmer who also represents the Gorseinon and Penyrheol ward, says that to take such a large amount of productive local farmland out of use does not sit well with him at all.

Simon Crowe, Director at Taiyo, said:“We would like to meet as many local residents, politicians and business leaders at our 6^th March exhibition.

“With the national energy crisis continuing to affect millions of people, the switch to locally generated renewable energy is more important than ever.

“Parc Solar Caenewydd marks a significant step in support of the food security, biodiversity and emissions reduction agendas for both the Welsh and UK Governments. 

“Our plans include considerable green infrastructure improvements that will help to restore the Afon Llan valley’s natural habitats, whilst simultaneously allowing for the production of clean energy and agriculture by supporting sheep grazing.”