Solar energy is a proven technology that offers a safe and clean source of power. Solar farms have no moving parts, resulting in low maintenance requirements throughout their lifespan and easy decommissioning at the end. With effective landscaping measures, solar energy projects have minimal visual impact. Additionally, solar panels have a small carbon footprint and the materials used in their construction are increasingly recyclable.
Addressing the climate and nature emergencies
The proposed Pentre Bach Solar Farm will contribute towards the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy and will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with local, national, and international targets, including the legally-binding commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050.
The proposal would also play an important role in meeting the Welsh Government’s aspiration for 100% of Wales’ energy needs to be met by renewable sources by 2035.
On a local level, Torfaen County Borough Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and, at the same time, pledged to become a net carbon zero council by 2030. This was subsequently followed by the declaration of a nature emergency, which recognised the negative impact which climate change is having on biodiversity. The Pentre Bach Solar Farm will help to meet local and national climate targets and will support biodiversity by achieving a Biodiversity Net Benefit as part of the plans.
Community Benefit
Elgin Energy is committed to ensuring that Pentre Bach Solar Farm leaves a positive lasting legacy for the local community. We proactively engage with communities on each project and try to identify local initiatives that we can support through a community benefit fund.
We are therefore keen to hear from the local community as to how our proposals can benefit groups, projects, or charitable initiatives – if you have specific ideas then please get in touch with the project team or let us know your suggestions in the feedback form.
Improving local biodiversity
Elgin Energy’s focus is always to mitigate any potential impacts on wildlife and habitats. Generally, PV developments encourage biodiversity as they are tranquil, largely undisturbed sites that do not require heavy machinery or intensive farming for maintenance over the 40-year lifetime of the development. Once installed, the land is removed from intensive agricultural use allowing the soil to regenerate. This process, combined with biodiversity enhancements, result in a net positive gain for local biodiversity.
The following biodiversity enhancements are proposed for Pentre Bach Solar Farm:
- Planting of new trees and hedgerows;
- Significant wildflower planting;
- Introduction of wide ecological corridors;
- Inclusion of beehives and bat boxes.
These enhancements will help the project more sensitively integrate into the local environment whilst reducing visual impacts on the local area by way of natural screening. A Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) will also be drawn up for the site outlining the measures which will be taken to enable local flora & fauna to flourish in the surrounding area thus increasing biodiversity.
Food Security
We recognise that there are concerns about the deployment of solar panels on agricultural land affecting the UK’s food security. The land which the proposed Pentre Bach Solar Farm is on is currently classified as grade 3b (moderate quality) agricultural land which is currently used for grazing. Should development consent be granted it is proposed that the grazing of sheep would continue on the site once the solar farm is constructed and operational.
Security of energy supply
As the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and conflict in Europe have demonstrated, developing a reliable, home-grown energy supply will be critical in preventing significant spikes in energy prices in the future by reducing the need for us to import electricity from abroad, the price of which can fluctuate significantly.
By co-locating an energy storage facility on the site the Pentre Bach Solar Farm would also help to balance power across the national electricity transmission network, and ensure that stored power can be released to the national grid during times of peak demand. We fully recognise that the sun does not always shine, therefore our proposed solar farm will not always be generating electricity. However, energy storage will ensure that the renewable energy we produce can be stored for usage during periods when electricity is not being produced, helping to ensure a balanced supply of power to the electricity grid.
Supporting the local economy
The Pentre Bach Solar Farm would represent a significant investment in the local economy of Torfaen borough, both directly and through increased expenditure in local shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels.
Elgin Energy is also committed to employing locally and utilising the local supply chain during construction and operation wherever possible. We are keen to utilise the pre-application and determination period to build up a network of local suppliers who would be interested in tendering during the procurement process. We would therefore encourage local employers and individuals to sign up as a local supplier by contacting the project team via email or through the project website. We will be in touch with information on our opportunities as the project develops.
