Renewable revolution generates green power
A20-acre solar farm, producing enough energy to power 800 homes for more than 25 years, has started producing green power on the outskirts of Cardiff.
Cenin Renewables, based at Parc Stormy, Bridgend, is increasing renewable energy production after completing its latest solar farm at Home Farm, St Georges.
The £3m investment supported by Barclays, has seen the company install 11,500 solar panels.
Established in 2011, Cenin Renewables operates alongside sister company Cenin and has a history of strategic investment in renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic (PV) that provides all the power requirements for Cenin’s on-site cement plant at Parc Stormy.
Martyn Popham, managing director of Cenin Renewables, said: “The new investment allows us to expand our clustering strategy to deliver sustainable jobs and local economic prosperity.
“Cenin Group is demonstrating that Wales has the opportunity to harness natural and waste resources to help improve economic activity, reduce carbon emissions and increase resource efficiency at the same time.
“We all live on an increasingly crowded planet. Over the next 50 years there will be increasing competition for work, and possibly even for food and water. We currently use around three times more resources than the planet can sustain, so we need to better use materials, harness natural resources and create less waste.
“Our energy comes from the wind, sun and organic carbons which are not currently harnessed. Not everybody understands that renewable energy does not run out and, possibly most importantly, local energy generation means local jobs.”
Mr Popham said as part of its ongoing development at Parc Stormy the company is looking to invest in a new energy storage facility, as well as another wind turbine.
He said: “Renewable technology requires significant capital expenditure, but new technology is also making renewable energy more commercial. The new solar farm at St Georges is half the cost of our original solar site built five years ago, but will produce more clean electricity. Wales is blessed with natural resources and it is vital that we use those resources to create local economic benefit and long-term stable power.”
Jason Llewellyn, Barclays corporate banking director, said: “By really understanding the business and the industry sector, Barclays has been able to deliver a funding package to support Cenin Renewables throughout this exciting development.
“A major investment like this demonstrates both our and the management team’s confidence in the success of the business. The cluster of green technologies at Parc Stormy offers a fantastic opportunity for educating future generations in sustainability and low carbon energy production.”