Councillor Tina Leyshon and Councillor Mark Norris of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council met with representatives of Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Vital Energi on Tuesday, February 11, to celebrate commencement of works on the new Coed Ely solar farm.
The project will see the installation of 9,408 solar PV panels which will deliver lifetime carbon savings of approximately 7,355 tonnes. The solar farm will produce enough clean electricity to power approximately 8,000 homes in the local area.
An innovative power purchase agreement will see Royal Glamorgan Hospital take electricity from the solar farm, making a significant, positive impact on their carbon footprint.
The project, which is being delivered in partnership with Vital Energi, is fundamental to the Councils 2030 net zero targets, and will help Royal Glamorgan Hospital on their decarbonisation journey by supplying 1MW of low-carbon electricity via a private wire network.
Councillor Tina Leyshon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Youth Participation and Climate Change, said: “It’s fantastic to see the progress on this project as we see the journey towards completing the Coed Ely Solar Farm begin. This ambitious project is providing a unique opportunity to deliver green energy at a significant scale, feeding energy directly into the National Grid and supporting the energy security of our community and the UK.”
“By supplying the Royal Glamorgan Hospital with low-carbon electricity, we’re helping to reduce its carbon footprint, making the project even more beneficial and directly supplying our local NHS.”
“Additionally, with the site’s reclaimed colliery tip unsuited for agriculture, this project shows how land can be repurposed for clean energy while still supporting local biodiversity. Grazing rights for animals will continue, demonstrating that solar energy projects can coexist with farming and enhance biodiversity.”
Mark Williams, Partnerships Director for Vital Energi explains: “As we transition from fossil fuel to a low-carbon society sites like this former coal tip can be repurposed and continue to contribute to the UK’s energy infrastructure, but in a renewable way. This project is also a fantastic opportunity to invest locally by engaging with local subcontractors, adding to our Wales-based employees and apprentices as well as partnering with a range of local causes so that in addition to delivering an important project, we can leave a lasting, impactful legacy.”
Linda Prosser, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation and Executive Lead for Decarbonisation - Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, commented: “We are delighted that on peak summer days the whole hospital will be powered by solar energy. This will have a significant positive impact on our decarbonisation and ‘Green CTM’ commitments and how we can deliver healthcare in a sustainable way for future generations. However, this scheme is not the end of the story at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and we will be delivering more renewables and low carbon technologies in future to further decarbonise the hospital’s energy demands.
"Additionally we are proud to work with our partners at RCTCBC and believe that this scheme is a great example of positive collaboration and partnership working between Health Board and Local Authority.”
Delivered in partnership with Vital Energi, the solar farm project reinforces Rhondda Cynon Taf's commitment to creating sustainable energy solutions.
In addition to the solar farm, Vital Energi will be installing the supporting energy infrastructure including substations, invertors, private wire network to the hospital and a 2m high security fence along with CCTV to ensure security of the solar farm.
To further enhance the site, the Council has worked closely with Vital Energi on biodiversity improvements. Planned enhancements include wildlife boxes and habitat corridors to support local wildlife, ensuring the solar farm benefits the environment both in terms of energy and ecology.
With construction now underway, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is proud to be leading the way toward a more sustainable future for the community and beyond.
Posted on 17/02/2025