A new solar farm could soon be created in Brymbo as part of plans submitted to Wrexham Council.
Brymbo Heritage Trust, a community-led charity, has proposed that a ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) scheme, along with battery storage and grid cabinet, is installed on land off Brymbo Road.
The plans have been put forward as part of Stori Brymbo, a major project that will see the Brymbo Ironworks, Steelworks and Fossil Forest sites transformed into a unique tourist attraction.
Once completed, Stori Brymbo will provide a unique visitor attraction that moves from the humid, mossy swamp forests of 300 million years ago (the period when coal was formed), through the industrial processes on the site over time.
The project is expected to be completed by 2026, with repair works and restorations underway on the buildings on the former Brymbo Colliery, Ironworks and Steelworks site to preserve the heritage of the site
As part of the redevelopment, plans have now been put forward to create a new community-led solar scheme to help provide renewable electricity to Stori Brymbo.
This, the applicants say, is in line with the project’s environmentally conscious, low carbon ethos. It would also see the economic benefits of the project remain in the local community
The planned grid connection point for the solar scheme will be at the Machine Shop building, which is currently being renovated.
If approved, the proposed total capacity of the scheme would be approximately 585kW, with an annual generation of 634MWh/y.
Further details of the plans are provided within the application’s accompanying design and access statement, which notes that the solar project would be installed across a 1.3 hectare site.
“The Brymbo solar scheme will comprise multiple solar tables arranged in arrays that will be orientated in a southerly direction and tilted at a 25° angle to maximise their potential to absorb the sun’s rays,” the document continues on to say.
“Multiple solar arrays are arranged as part of the overall solar scheme infrastructure, and the power output is directed through inverters to the grid connection point at the Machine Shop.
“A battery will be installed as part of the solar scheme, to store electricity generated by the solar scheme. This electricity can then be used when the solar is not generating, for example in the evening.
“Electricity that is not utilised on the Stori Brymbo site will be exported to the local distribution network.
“Such renewable energy generation and capacity reduces the UK’s reliance on fossil fuel derived power generation and the associated contribution to global warming and polluting emissions to the environment.”
The applicants add: “The purpose of the proposed scheme is to contribute towards the energy requirements of Stori Brymbo and hence reduce reliance on conventional forms of electricity generation. The scheme will therefore contribute towards the economic sustainability in the area.
“The scheme would reduce the need for fossil fuel derived fuel and as such would contribute to reductions in greenhouse gases associated with such conventionalgeneration.
“In addition to contributing to global measures to mitigate the effects of climate change, the scheme would also make a contribution to renewable energy targets in Wrexham.
“The overall context of the proposed scheme has been considered by the applicant in making its decision on whether to proceed with a scheme at this site.
“It has been established that the social, economic and policy benefits will provide a significant benefit to the area without detriment to the local community or national interests.
“Accordingly, the proposed scheme offers worthwhile benefits in the form of clean generation, community cohesion and economic generation without adversely affecting other environmental or planning aspects of the local area.”
The application will be considered for approval by Wrexham Council at a later date.
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