Wales Climate Week!

During Wales Climate Week we are delighted to share with you updated details on the Coed Ely Solar Farm.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council (RCTCBC) have signed a Power Purchase Agreement for the supply of renewable energy from the proposed Coed Ely Solar Farm directly to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, bringing the scheme a step closer to fruition. At Coed Ely, RCTCBC plan to construct a 6MW (Megawatt) solar farm on a former colliery site approximately 3.5kms from the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, with a dedicated 1MW section providing the hospital with zero[1]carbon solar power via a private wire connection. It is anticipated that the scheme will meet the full site demand on peak summer days, providing approximately 15% of the hospital’s annual electricity requirements. This is enough energy to power 370 typical homes for a year, will save approximately 240 tonnes of CO2 per year, and the electricity costs will be significantly lower than grid-supplied electricity. The solar farm scheme aims to complete the connection to the hospital in late summer 2024 as RCTCBC now progress through the planning, design and build phases of the project.

Councillor Tina Leyshon, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Said: “It’s fantastic to see the Council and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board make positive strides towards the development of our first ever land based solar farm right before Wales Climate Week 2023. The Council are committed to becoming a Carbon Neutral Council by 2030 and working in partnership to generate renewable energy is a key part of that.

“I also think it’s important to highlight how this project can be an example of how solar energy can also have a positive impact on biodiversity and farming. This coupled with substantial reductions in energy costs and carbon saving emphasises the progress being made towards contributing to the Welsh Government Net Zero Public Sector Target, decarbonising both the Council, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and creating a greener Wales.”

06/12/2023