Caerphilly Council Planning to Build Largest Solar Farm in Wales

Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced plans to develop the largest publicly owned solar farm in Wales. It is also the first council-led Development of National Significance (DNS) to be validated by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

The 20MW solar farm at Cwm Ifor Farm in Penyrheol, Caerphilly marks the first time the Council has invested into the energy sector and the first time that a local authority has submitted a Development of National Significant (DNS) application to the Welsh Government.

The development of a publicly owned solar farm will provide an opportunity for the Council to directly tackle carbon emissions by decarbonising electricity, as well as also providing the opportunity to generate an additional income to support local public services.

Cllr Jamie Pritchard, the Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Climate Change, said “In 2019 the Council declared a climate emergency and has committed to being carbon neutral by 2030. The solar farm is a very exciting development and just one of a number of innovative initiatives planned by the Council to reduce carbon emissions.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in the project and particularly members of the local community who took the time to take part in consultation.”