About us
The delivery of reliable, renewable energy in Wales.
The delivery of reliable, renewable energy in Wales is a high priority. Further to Welsh and UK Government ambitions to achieve ‘Net Zero’ by 2050, Welsh Government currently has targets to deliver 70% of Welsh energy consumption via renewable means by 2030.
This project represents an important opportunity to significantly contribute towards these goals, and deliver a low carbon, low cost, secure supply of renewable energy for many years to come.
Like other renewable energies, solar power represents a ‘clean’ source of renewable energy as it doesn’t release any harmful emissions or pollutants.
It is largely silent and is unobtrusive to the landscape when compared to some other renewable technologies.
Low carbon
With advances in solar panel technology the project is able to deliver substantial environmental benefits and efficient energy generation, by offsetting CO2 emitted by electricity produced from fossil fuels.
Environmentally friendly
The design of solar projects such as Oaklands Solar Farm means that, in certain cases, activities and land uses related to agriculture or biodiversity enhancement can continue on the site of the solar farm. To name a few examples, sheep can graze amongst the solar panels, areas of land can be cultivated for wildflowers, or beehives can be placed on the site.
Using agricultural land for solar panels allows the land to rest, while enhancing biodiversity, which in turn improves the soil quality.
Low cost
Solar energy is one of the cheapest forms of new renewable power generation in the UK, and consequently can contribute to controlling consumer’s energy bills into the future.
Security of supply
Solar power generated in the UK reduces the need to import electricity from abroad. This not only creates energy industry jobs in the UK, but makes our energy supply and prices more secure, since foreign energy can vary in price as supply and demand changes.
Solar power jobs are another benefit of solar generation. The solar industry currently provides around 16,000 jobs in the UK and the renewables sector as a whole is expected to create up to 500,000 jobs.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Renewable energy is an intermittent power source, and its generation patterns causes issues with grid stability and its ability to satisfy demand when it is most needed. These gaps in generation are currently being filled by gas fired power stations.
Battery storage systems are therefore an essential electrical infrastructure which can address these issues by storing renewable energy during periods of high generation and low demand and provide power to the grid when generation falls and demand rises, stabilising the grid and replacing gas fired peaking plants. Such systems will help maintain energy security and keep the lights on in the communities around this development.