Why do we need solar?
Solar power forms a critical part of the UK and Welsh Government’s strategy to achieve net zero by 2050 and to deliver energy security. Ground-mounted solar projects play a key role in achieving these aims, having been established as a critical national priority due to the energy security, decarbonisation and affordability benefits that they deliver.
Solar provides a low-carbon, renewable energy source that is cheaper and faster to deploy than alternatives. Solar is one-ninth the cost of gas and less than one-third of nuclear energy, making it essential for reducing emissions and providing affordable energy.
Solar farms currently account for around 0.1% of the total land area of the UK. The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space currently used by golf courses. Solar power is already making a significant impact. Between June and August 2024, it provided up to 8% of the UK’s electricity, according to the Government’s Energy Trends renewables tables (ODS)**.
*Presuming a 15% capacity/load factor across a single year based upon average domestic electricity consumption per home (temperature corrected) as per Energy Consumption in the UK (published September 2024, Table C9 of ECUK: Consumption data tables).
**Energy Trends December 2024, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-trends-section-6-renewables)
Solar power is already making a significant impact. Between June and August 2024, it provided up to 8% of the UK’s electricity, according to the Government’s Energy Trends renewables tables (ODS).
Solar provides clean, reliable energy and helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It diversifies the energy mix, enhances energy security, and stabilises electricity costs over time.
The direct conversion of solar energy to generate electricity forms an important part of Welsh Government’s ambitious, integrated strategy for renewable energy generation. Solar power is also a key part of delivering the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy and Energy Security.
As set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the Government has ambitions to more than triple solar capacity by 2030 through the development of large-scale solar farms and rooftop installations on homes and businesses. Wales also has a specific aim of 100% of annual electricity consumption being from renewable electricity by 2035.
Solar farms currently account for around 0.1 per cent of the total land area of the U.K. The Government targets for a fivefold increase in solar would result in 0.3% of the UK land area being used by solar (Carbon Brief, 2022). This is the equivalent to around half of the space currently used by golf courses.
The need for solar
Community benefits
Community Benefit Fund
Candwr Solar Farm are pleased to announce an initial proposed community benefit fund for the duration of the site’s operational lifespan, which is 40 years.
We will be engaging with the Community Liaison Group on how the community benefit fund could be spent, as well as how the Community Benefit Fund should be governed.
We will be engaging with the Community Liaison Group on how the community benefit fund could be spent, as well as how the Community Benefit Fund should be governed. If you would like to be kept up to date with progress on the community fund and future funding opportunities, please get in touch:
Environmental benefits
The solar farm provides the opportunity to keep the land free from intensive farming practices and chemicals, allowing species to thrive and the soil quality to improve. Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB) will be achieved by new and improved hedgerow, habitats, tree planting as well as biodiversity enhancement areas.
These enhancements will include: New planting to support a diverse range of invertebrate species and encourage new species along the site boundary; Wildlife corridors and the installation of bat and bird nesting boxes, woodpiles, and beehives along the site boundary.
We anticipate that these measures will result in a net benefit for biodiversity beyond the Welsh Government’s mandatory requirements.
The solar farm provides the opportunity to keep the land free from intensive farming practices and chemicals, allowing species to thrive and soil quality to improve.
Net benefit for biodiversity will be achieved by new and improved hedgerow, habitats, and tree planting
Solar farms, unlike fossil fuel power stations, produce no emissions during operation and can have a positive impact on air quality compared with other energy generation methods.
Solar farms generate electricity without producing carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
They help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, decreasing emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas.
