The project

The proposal includes ground-mounted solar photovoltaic farm, associated landscaping, infrastructure and access works, located within the existing landscape of stone walls, hedgerows and woodland.

Site was selected following an extensive feasibility study and rigorous site assessment process including grid availability, landscape, heritage, and ecological assessments.

Construction is expected to take 6 months.

The development forms a temporary (35 years) use of farmland that is easily reversed at the end of its operational life.

Within Rhondda Cynon Taf, across the wards of Upper Rhydfelen and Glyn-taf, Trallwng, and Treforest.

2 km to the east of Pontypridd town centre.

77 hectares (ha) of grade 4 agricultural land on the western slopes of Mynydd Meio.

36.6 MW
of combined generating capacity

Estimated annual generation
35000 MWh

Equals the yearly consumption of
10000 households

15000 tons of CO2
avoided annually
(compared to existing National Grid mix)

Access route options

There are two construction and operational site access options under consideration, both of which are through existing farm access points at:

  1. Byntail Farm
  2. Tir Cae-Mawr Farm

Grid connections

The site is ideally located for access to the local electricity grid network, being only 3km from the nearest substation at Upper Boat, Treforest.

Electricity generated will enter the National Grid transmission network and be transported across Wales.