A proposed solar and energy storage project on Anglesey has begun its Statutory Consultation period.
The Prosiect Maen Hir team has updated their proposals for the project located on land in north Anglesey and are now asking for feedback on more detailed and refined plans for the project. This latest design includes proposed mitigation and enhancement measures for key areas such as landscape and visual, and ecology and biodiversity.
Prosiect Maen Hir is a proposed solar and energy storage project with an anticipated generation of 360 megawatts (MW), enough to power the equivalent of 140,000 homes and avoid over 70,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. The project will make a significant contribution to the Welsh Government’s target to achieve Net Zero by 2050 and to generate approximately 70% of electricity from renewable sources. The project also aims to support Isle of Anglesey County Council’s Energy Island Programme.
The project is being developed by Lightsource bp, a global leader in the development, financing, management, and the operation of utility-scale solar projects, with 9.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity developed globally to date. With a strong track record of constructing, operating, and maintaining solar sites, Lightsource bp aims to deliver sustainable solar power projects that are sympathetic to the environment and communities living and working closet to them.
Along with providing renewable solar power, Prosiect Maen Hir will also enhance local biodiversity through the improvement of existing wildlife habitats and the creation of new habitats, such as wildflower planting. The project has also been designed to support the potential for continued agricultural use such as livestock grazing. Prosiect Maen Hir will also see improvements to recreational and amenity resources for the local community such as enhancements to the local public rights of way network, creating enjoyable and accessible green spaces for walking, cycling, and other recreational activities.
The Statutory Consultation sets out proposed mitigation strategies, helping to ensure that the project is developed responsibly. Strategies include substantially reducing noise and air quality impacts during construction and operation by using low-noise equipment and dust suppression techniques. Further strategies include the minimisation of visual impact through careful site design and planting native vegetation where screening might be needed, along with the monitoring and preservation of areas of archaeological interest.
This consultation period will be open until 11:59pm on Friday 15 November 2024.
The Statutory Consultation for Prosiect Maen Hir features a series of both in-person and webinar events, providing opportunities for the community and key stakeholders to find out more and provide their feedback.
These event dates are as follows:
- Wednesday 9 October – 13:30-19:30 – Llangefni – Llangefni Town Hall, Bulkeley Square, Llangefni, LL77 7SU
- Friday 11 October – 13:30-19:30 – Talwrn – Talwrn Village Hall, Talwrn, LL77 7SU
- Thursday 17 October – 13:30-19:30 – Llanddeusant – Llanddeusant Community Centre
- Friday 18 October – 13:30-19:30 – Amlwch – Amlwch War Memorial Hall, 18 Market Street, LL68 9ET
- Saturday 19 October – 10:00-14:00 – Cemaes – David Hughes Village Hall, 53 High Street, LL67 0HL
- Tuesday 22 October – 18:00-19:00 – Online (Welsh) – Webinar event
- Saturday 26 October – 10:00-14:00 – Llannerchymedd – The Centre, Llannerchymedd Community School, LL71 8DP
- Monday 28 October – 13:30-19:30 – Llanfechell – Llanfechell Community Hall
- Tuesday 29 October – 13:30 – 19:30 – Rhosybol – Rhosybol School Community Centre, Rhosybol, Amlwch, LL68 9PP
- Wednesday 30 October – 18:00-19:00 – Online (English) – Webinar event
Full details of the consultation and events (in English and Welsh) can be found at the project website.
Aidan Collins, Head of Environmental Planning for UK and Ireland at Lightsource bp, said:
“Prosiect Maen Hir will provide low-cost, reliable and sustainable energy while responding sensitively to the local environment, providing opportunities for surrounding communities, and offering enhancements to native wildlife and biodiversity.
“What really excites our team is that the project will create new jobs, promote and maximise the use of local businesses, and thereby supporting the economic growth of the region. Further, we are engaging with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Bangor University, to explore educational opportunities, fostering local skills and knowledge in renewable energy.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of our Stage Two Statutory Consultation, where we will have an opportunity to share an updated design for Maen Hir and our environmental work up to date. We look forward to receiving your feedback on our plans which will further help us to inform the development of the Maen Hir project.”
The consultation information, including the PEIR, NTS and other Stage Two materials are available to view, download and print on the dedicated project website. To ensure that the consultation is accessible, hard copies of the consultation documents are available to view at document inspection locations. This includes the results from environmental studies and surveys that have been carried out as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, which have been published in the Preliminary Environmental
Information Report (PEIR) and summarised in the PEIR Non-Technical Summary (NTS).
The document inspection locations are as follows:
- Anglesey Business Centre, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Bryn Cefni Business Park, Llangefni, Anglesey, LL77 7XA
- Amlwch Library, Lôn Parys, Amlwch, Anglesey, LL68 9EA
- Benllech Library, Bangor Road, Benllech,Tyn y Gongl, LL74 8TF
- Holyhead Library, Market Hall, Stanley Street, Holyhead, LL65 1HH
- Llangefni Library, Lôn y Felin, Llangefni, Anglesey, LL777RT
Given the amount of renewable energy Prosiect Maen Hir would generate, it is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) which means that, to gain permission to build and operate it, a Development Consent Order (DCO) application will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). The submission is indicatively expected in Summer 2025. The Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will then determine whether to grant consent for the proposal.
