PART of a £3.1m solar energy farm in Flintshire looks set to be approved.

The proposal is a full planning application for installation and operation of a ground mounted solar panels and associated infrastructure on land at Crumps Yard, Dock Road, Connah’s Quay.

The site extends to approximately 3.2 hectares.

The Connah's Quay location, along with another on a former landfill site in Flint, will form a solar energy farm that, when completed, is expected to generate in excess of 3487MWh's of electricity each year, as well as saving more than 800 tonnes of CO2.

The proposal, made by Flintshire County Council, is for the construction and operation of a 1.6MW solar farm development and the associated infrastructure, including:

  • Solar PV modules mounted on to arrays with concrete plinths
  • 2 x inverter/ transformer units
  • 2 x battery storage containers
  • Onsite cabling
  • Fencing and security measures
  • Substation

The impact of glint and glare will be one issue the planning committee will be asked to consider.

The solar farm will be located approximately 6.5km north-west of Hawarden Airport and is close to roads, railway, and homes.

Analysis has shown that no solar reflection from the proposed development towards the air traffic control tower is geometrically possible and no significant impact on approaching aircraft is predicted.

No impact is predicted on railway signals and trains.

Solar reflection towards dwellings is possible but would not cause any significant impact to require mitigation.

Reflection towards Dock Road and Fisherman's Road is also possible, but this would be screened by vegetation and buildings.

Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, Airbus UK, National Air Traffic Services and Network Rail have all been approached and do not have concerns about the application.

The project has received technical and commercial support from the Welsh Government Energy Service with guidance provided on site selection, a screening assessment and financial modelling and ongoing support being provided to the project team.

Earlier this month, Rhys Horan, Strategic Lead for the Welsh Government Energy Service, said: “These projects are excellent examples of a local authority developing renewable energy generation on brownfield land, making better use of their available assets. Flintshire County Council are leading by example in developing such sites in their continued drive to become a Green Council.”

If approved, the team from ENGIE, the energy and regeneration specialist appointed by Flintshire County Council to develop the farm, will start work on site in September with completion expected by the end of 2020.

The plans will be considered at a virtual planning meeting being held on Wednesday (September 2, 2020).

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Assets, Councillor Billy Mullin, said: “Flintshire County Council is pleased to be working with ENGIE on this important Solar PV project which will support the reduction in carbon emissions emitted through standard energy generation which cause climate change. This is a key priority for the Council and I personally welcome this plan coming to fruition.”

Barry Tayburn, Head of Energy and Innovation at ENGIE, said: “We're delighted to be supporting Flintshire Council in their ambitions to reduce carbon emissions.

"As an organisation, ENGIE is proud to be working with partners across the UK on the transition to a zero-carbon future. We have an excellent track record of installing renewable technologies, so it's great that we can bring that expertise to this project."