Our Trustee Dr Jonathan Dean and Chair of Yns Mon CPRW Branch Martin Schwaller met with Lightsource bp who are developing Prosiect Maen Hir / Maen Hir Solar and Energy Storage.
Here’s how the conversation went:
How does Lightsource fit in with the BP organisation?
BP are 49% shareholders. Lightsource have announced they will acquire the remaining 51% but the sale is not yet complete. Lightsource operate completely independently from BP.
And is there any connection with the offshore wind business?
None whatsoever.
Why did it change from under 350 MW under Welsh. (DNS) legislation to over 350 MW under U.K. (NSIP) legislation?
More land became available. It was not to “by pass” the then stricter Welsh planning restraints.
Is the agricultural land class an issue?
It is generally simply grazing of not particularly high grade. Solar is discourages on agricultural land classes 1, 2 and 3a (best and most versatile, or BMV land). Most of the land is 3b and 4.
Do they anticipate much challenge from the Planning Inspectorate in use of this land?
They working closely with IOACC
How many individual landowners are they dealing with?
Lightsource bp would not reveal (looks to be about half a dozen from the plans).
Are there any definite plans for what happens under the panels eg grazing or biodiversity? (Martin Schwaller is aware one of the farms is a free range egg farm that have to provide a certain outdoor area for the chickens, even if they don’t leave the sheds)
Roughly 2/3 of the area will be covered in the panels around which sheep grazing can take place, but not cattle. The remaining 1/3 will be given over to screening and biodiversity schemes.
Will they use pesticides and or fertilisers?
No.
How will they manage the land in general?
Requires minimal maintenance once operational.
What types of things are planned for screening? Would they consider involving the community is designing this?
They are very keen to work directly with communities and hope the local communities will inform decision making process.
What is the expected increase in biodiversity net gain?
10% minimum overall.
How will they monitor effects on biodiversity and for how long?
Monitored for the lifespan of the project which is 60 years
What will the benefits be for immediate people in the area?
…for the people of Ynys Mon?
…and for how long?
What are the plans for community benefits?
They plan to reserve a 5MW section of panels which will be under the remit of Menter Mon with IOACC checking governance managed entirely for the benefit of the immediate local communities who will be able to apply to the fund created.
Are they aware of the degree of opposition? What are they doing to counter this?
Yes. They are preparing themselves as best they can. Further details below.
How many full time jobs do they anticipate will be created locally? What type of roles would these be?
Jobs will be created during construction phase (18-24 months). Once operational it requires little in the way of staffing.
Will there be support/opportunities for young people on the island?
Talked of working with Coleg Menai, M Spark and Bangor University.
Will there be a Lightsource staff permanent presence in North Wales?
Yes, see above.
Have they met with Rhun and Llinos?
They have put requests in to meet them, awaiting response.
Are there still plans for a specific substation or will they connect back to Wylfa substation?
A substation will be built by National Grid possibly on the “Shell site” at Rhosgoch. All cabling will be underground.
Where will it be monitored and operated from?
Locally
End of life – are there any thoughts now?
Looking to source new panels and infrastructure as best they can from UK or, secondly Europe and China as a last resort. Disposal of spent units, contracts developing with recycling organisations.
Maen Hir Project: Series of Community Events in August
Following my update regarding the work underway in respect of our proposals for Prosiect Maen Hir and the intention to hold some informal community events over the summer, I am pleased to inform you that I can now confirm the final schedule for the events we will be holding in the coming weeks in anticipation of public consultation taking place later this year.
Community drop-in events
The aim of these drop-in events is to give people the opportunity to find out about work underway to develop proposals for Prosiect Maen Hir so we can build a better understanding of what the Project might mean to local communities while giving them the opportunity to ask questions about the ongoing development process.
English and Welsh speaking members of the community relations team will be on hand to provide information and chat with people at events as follows:
- Cemaes: Tuesday 6th August, 11am – 4pm
David Hughes Village Hall, High St, Cemaes Bay, LL67 0HL
- Brynteg: Wednesday 7th August, 11am – 4pm
Brynteg Community Hall, Brynteg, LL78 8JN
- Llannerch-y-medd: Thursday 8th August, 11am – 4pm
Llan Stations, Bridge St, Llannerch-y-medd, LL71 8EU
- Llangefni: Tuesday 20th August, 11am – 4pm
Llangefni Town Hall, Bulkeley Square, Llangefni, LL77 7LR
As well as these events, as previously mentioned we will also have a stand at the Anglesey Show (13-14 August) so anyone attending can pop by to have a chat with the team.
Publicising events
In advance of these events taking place, we are mailing a dual language newsletter (attached) to just over 4,000 homes and businesses at addresses in proximity of the project to re-introduce the project, provide details of the drop-in events taking place, and make them aware of the upcoming consultation. In addition to this, we’ll also be engaging with regional media to secure editorial coverage and place paid advertisements.
A communication will also be sent to everyone who has registered to receive updates directly to make them aware of the upcoming events and provide a link to an electronic version of the newsletter which will be available to view on the project webpages.
We want to build awareness of the project and encourage individuals to visit the project webpage https://lightsourcebp.com/uk/project/maen-hir-solar-energy-storage-english/ where they can register their interest. We can then directly provide them with information about further engagement opportunities and details of the forthcoming consultation.
Next steps
It goes without saying that if you have time to come along we welcome the possibility of meeting you at the events we’re holding in the coming weeks, along with the public, to better understand your views of the project and be able to provide you with some certainty as to where we are in the development process and when more detailed information will be made available for people to view and comment on.. If in the meantime you have any questions, please do contact us directly by calling us on the project freephone 08081 756663 (Welsh) or 08081 756375 (English) or emailing us at [email protected].
Written by Martin Schwaller
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