Overview
Baglan Bay Solar Farm - Phase 1 is a 5 MW solar PV facility in the United Kingdom, operated by St. Modwen Developments. It contributes to the UK's renewable energy capacity under the Contracts for Difference scheme.
Baglan Bay Solar Farm - Phase 1 is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in the United Kingdom, with a capacity of 5 megawatts (MW). Developed and owned by St. Modwen Developments, the plant is operational and supports the country's transition to low-carbon energy. As a medium-scale solar installation, it aligns with the UK's renewable energy targets under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) framework, which incentivizes low-carbon electricity generation. The facility utilizes solar PV technology to convert sunlight into electricity, feeding into the national grid. The UK's solar sector has grown significantly, supported by policies such as the Renewable Obligation and CfD auctions. Baglan Bay Solar Farm - Phase 1 benefits from these regulatory mechanisms, which provide price stability for generated electricity. The plant's capacity of 5 MW places it within the typical range for ground-mounted solar farms in the UK, contributing to the country's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Environmentally, the solar farm occupies land that was previously part of an industrial site, repurposing brownfield land for renewable energy generation. This reduces visual and land-use impacts compared to greenfield developments. The facility helps displace fossil fuel-based electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Solar PV has minimal operational water use and no air pollutants, supporting local air quality and water conservation. The plant's grid integration is facilitated by the UK's robust transmission network, ensuring reliable power delivery.
Environmental context
The Baglan Bay area has a history of industrial use, and the solar farm repurposes brownfield land, minimizing land-use conflicts. Solar PV generation produces no emissions during operation, contributing to local air quality improvements. The facility's location in South Wales benefits from moderate solar irradiance, and its grid connection supports the UK's renewable energy integration without significant environmental disruption.
Frequently asked questions
Baglan Bay Solar Farm - Phase 1 is located in the United Kingdom, near Baglan Bay in South Wales. The facility is situated on previously industrial land.
The facility has a capacity of 5 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar PV installation.
The facility is owned by St. Modwen Developments, a UK-based property development and investment company.
The UK supports solar energy through mechanisms like the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which provides price stability for low-carbon electricity, and the Renewable Obligation, which requires suppliers to source a portion of their electricity from renewables.
Solar farms generate electricity without greenhouse gas emissions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. They have low water usage and can be built on brownfield land, minimizing land-use conflicts.