Solar farm in Welsh countryside 'should benefit us first'

Wales Online readers are unhappy to hear that a solar farm in Wales has struck a deal to sell its energy to an English water company. Llanwern solar farm near Newport, hailed as a significant step forward for Welsh renewable energy, will not benefit local communities, according to campaigners.

They also highlighted the environmental significance of the Gwent Levels where the farm is located. Earlier this month, NextEnergy Capital, the London-based owner of the solar farm, announced a 20-year corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with Anglian Water Services. This means the energy produced by the farm will be sold to the water company for the next two decades.

Solar farms and carbon sink forestry have become contentious issues. While they seem to support environmental objectives, critics argue they offer little employment, are often owned by companies outside Wales who reap all the profits, and take land away from other uses that could potentially benefit the local economy more.

The aesthetic impact of solar farms, with their black panels, is another point of contention, with some arguing they are unsightly, industrial and harm valuable environmental habitats.

A spokesperson for Anglian Water stated that the agreement aligns with the UK water industry's aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, adding: "The majority of the energy generated by the array is used in our operations."

Dr Jonathan Dean from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales told WalesOnline: "This sounds like quite an achievement for the Welsh Government’s renewable energy policies. Except it’s s not, because all of the electricity it is going to produce for 20 years has been bought by a company in England."

Commenter Below stairs thinks: “ The reason why the Barrage was stopped was because of the wonderful wildlife in the Gwent Levels, so putting a solar park there seems a good use of land? It’s not in anyone's way, it's silent, it does not pollute and the Gwent Wildlife won't be affected.”

Postboy says: “All new buildings should have panels, all existing buildings should have them added. Why cover good ground? A farm does not need to be in one place, but can spread in smaller sections. We need environmentally friendly space.”

Alex Peters agrees: “In France they put them above supermarket car parks and save the countryside for agricultural use. It would keep you dry walking back to the car when it's raining as well.”

Billywebb77 adds: “That's the problem with solar. It's bad for biodiversity and destroys habitats because it's always built in fields and green spaces (because it's cheaper that way!) so you have to really question how good it is for the environment.”

Frankie49 says: “Since man discovered how to light a fire we have been burning wood and other fossil fuel to survive, cook and keep warm. So we have really been polluting the planet for millions of years. We are still here after all that time of "poisoning and polluting" the environment which proves to me that it cannot possibly be all that bad after all! What are we going to do about methane gas which naturally emits from the sea and marshes? What are we going to do about the pollution that active volcanoes emit, forest fires etc.?”

NoGoodBoyo57 believes: “I'm all for Solar power but if it's in Wales, it should benefit us first then any excess sold on to England.”

Frustrate agrees: “Wales is going to be an eyesore which suits the British government and people of Wales definitely won’t benefit from cheap energy. The population of Wales won’t use the amount of energy that will be created with the infrastructures they are proposing, so England will benefit without much disruption to them.”

Oldie41 adds: “Short sighted Senedd. There should have been a clause to give benefit to Wales. How are they financing their extension? How many more such contracts are they granting? Our water has already been exploited and now it's energy!”

BrynCartwright asks: “So we don’t want investment from across the bridge? The only issue I have with this site on the Gwent levels is why is a solar farm acceptable but not the proposed M4 relief road?”

StevenBoyd replies: “It’s supposed to be a ‘precious’ area but I cycle around it often and it’s actually the most rubbish strewn, fly-tipped area I’ve seen. The reens are often used to throw rubbish sacks, builders rubble etc. I’ve seen an entire bay window in them.”

Dm68 adds: “This area is hardly prime land. The people in this country need to make their minds up whether they want to get their power from renewables or continue along the same old route of using coal, gas, oil and nuclear, leaving a legacy of pollution for future generations.”

How do you feel about the solar farm? Is it in the right place and should the energy produced be reserved for Wales? Have your say in our comments section.