Solar Farm Capable of Powering 1000+ Homes Proposed For Wrexham

Proposals to create a solar farm capable of powering over 1000 homes in Wrexham have been put forward. 

In an application submitted to Wrexham Council it is proposed that a 4.03 MWp solar farm and associated development is created at Francis Lane in Holt.

Currently the Site consists of 10.2 hectares of Grade 3b agricultural land (and road) and is situated approximately 3km east of the outskirts of Wrexham, and directly to the north of the Industrial Estate. It is expected that the site would be dual-use with sheep grazing for an operational period of 25 years.

If the application is successful it is anticipated that 1,020 local homes could be powered from the solar farm. The site would also be the third solar farm in the Wrexham area, with work beginning on Berthengron Farm, Rhosllanerchrugog earlier this year and permission granted to create a solar farm in Acrefair back in May 2015.

Speaking about the development, it is noted in the application’s Design and Access Statement: “The purpose of the Proposals is to generate electricity from a clean, renewable and sustainable source. This would help to meet the UK Government’s target of 20% of electricity to be generated from renewables by 2020. On 22 January 2014, the European Union committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and a new binding target of 27% of energy generation to come from renewable sources from 2030 has been adopted.”

The Design and Access Statement continues onto add: “The Proposals involve the installation of a 4.03 MWp ground mounted solar farm. The Proposals would include the installation of:

• PV panels mounted on a ground-based racking system;
• Power inverter stations;
• Transformer stations;
• Security fencing and associated access gates with CCTV security cameras mounted on free standing support poles
• Gravelled (type 1) roads are proposed within the Site to allow access for construction and maintenance

If the application is successful it is expected that the solar farm would be operational for 25 years, with planning permission possibly being requested to extend the lifetime of the development.

The application is expected to go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee at a later date.

*Aerial Pic of Francis Lane – Google Maps