Investing in Wales' future
“the Welsh Government strongly supports the principle of developing renewable and low carbon energy from all technologies and at all scales to meet our future energy needs.”
“In determining planning applications for renewable and low carbon energy development, decision-makers must give significant weight to the need to meet Wales’ international commitments and its target to generate 70% of consumed electricity by renewable means by 2030 in order to combat the climate emergency”
Future Wales 2040 (policy 17)
Green energy
The proposals will deliver 400 MW installed capacity – enough to power 108,000 homes – which is equivalent to the total household power demand from Newport and Monmouthshire County combined. It is also equivalent to meeting the total power demand of 8% of Wales’s 1.3 million households.
Nature Recovery
The proposals will seek to reverse the decline of the SSSI reens from their current and long standing “unfavourable status” to a “favourable status” and achieve a biodiversity net gain to support Wales Nature Recovery objectives. The scheme will leave a positive legacy for wildlife.
Fuel Poverty in Wales
Global constraints on gas supplies caused by the Ukraine war have contributed to the huge spike in energy prices which affects every household.
According to the Welsh Government’s latest estimates, up to 45% (614,000) of all households in Wales were in fuel poverty, following the price cap increase of April 2022. Up to 8% (115,000) of were estimated to be in severe fuel poverty. Maximising the amount of energy we generate here in Wales will enhance the nation’s energy security, which is of vital importance to prevent a further spiralling of fuel poverty.
Food Security
The biggest medium to long term risk to the UK’s domestic production comes from climate change, especially on such low lying land liable to flood from sea level rise. There are other environmental pressures too like soil degradation, water quality and biodiversity. The solar farm will contribute positively towards fighting these impacts, as well as financially supporting 27 local farming families through ground rent and enabling a continuation of sheep grazing across the site.
Welsh Jobs
It is estimated that the proposals will generate work for around 5,000 Wales-based employees and contractors including around 200 new job roles created due to expansion of local businesses.
Welsh Economy
It is estimated that £13.5 million will contributed to local businesses during the construction phase.
Investing in the future of Redwick
Free vehicle charging
The scheme will deliver Electric Vehicle charging points which will provide free charging for local residents with electricity generated direct from the solar farm.
Long term investment into the community
Revenue from the sale of electricity will be shared with the local community, which can be used to fund local projects and pay energy costs. An annual sum of £250,000 will be provided, totalling £10 million over the 40 year life of the scheme.