St. Modwen, the UK-based regeneration specialist, has been granted permission to build a 5MW array of solar panels at an old BP Chemicals works site in Port Talbot. The project, which is expected to cost £15 million, will generate enough clean electricity to power around 1,500 homes a year.
The Baglan Bay power plant, which has been approved by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, is the first link to a comprehensive regeneration scheme on brownfield land. St. Modwen’s plans propose that 30 acres of land will be covered in 21,000 solar photovoltaic panels generating 5MW of power a year.
Although the company has received planning permission, the progression of the project now depends on the outcome of the Government’s review of the feed-in tariffs scheme. However, St. Mowden says that as soon as the tariffs have been clarified the plant will can be completed within a three to four- month period.
St Modwen’s South Wales and South West regional director Rupert Joseland said, “Baglan Bay is a major regeneration project to transform over 500 acres of disused brownfield land into a new employment site with the potential of creating thousands of jobs locally.
“The park will be developed across 30 acres of brownfield land and will feature solar cell panels that produce renewable energy with no emissions,” he added.
