Alun Cairns MP has officially opened the new £5 million plus Port of Barry Solar Farm in south Wales.
The Vale of Glamorgan MP was among the first to visit the new 20 acre solar farm, constructed by British Gas for Associated British Ports (ABP).
The solar farm represents a rapid transformation of disused brown-field land. British Gas only started work at the port in March; by May the installation, made up of almost 15,000 solar panels, was complete.
Now fully operational, the solar farm is expected to generate around 4.5MWh of green energy per year to support ABP’s port operations, including its 75 tenants. Any excess energy will be redirected to the National Grid.
The solar farm is also expected to save around 2,000 tonnes of Co2 per year- the equivalent weight of a small ship.
The local MP was greeted by representatives from ABP and British Gas. He heard that the installation had been recently short-listed for a Wales Green Energy award in the Outstanding Renewable Energy Project category, sponsored by the Welsh Government.
Alun Cairns, Vale of Glamorgan MP, said: "The new solar farm on Barry Docks is a fantastic example of maximising the use of industrial space, in a very impressive scheme. The energy partnership between ABP and British Gas will allow Barry Dock to become more competitive in the industry, and the project in the Vale of Glamorgan could become an exciting model for other docks and ports around Great Britain.”
Matthew Kennerley, Director of ABP South Wales, said: “The development of renewable energy is a focus of investment for ABP South Wales as we continue to develop environmentally friendly engineering projects at all five of our South Wales ports.”
Chris Morrison, Head of British Gas Solar, said: “We’re delighted to have installed this important solar project – it’s the second time we’ve done this with ABP in Wales.
“At British Gas, we’re committed to helping businesses make real energy and carbon savings. The green energy this solar farm will generate is a significant contribution towards that goal.”
In June 2014, British Gas completed works on a 250kWp solar project for ABP at Newport Docks.