The Norwegian renewables giant behind plans for a green hydrogen energy plant at a former Royal Navy armaments depot in Pembrokeshire has said there is real appetite for green energy production in Wales following support from members of the public.
Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable power generator, has been engaging with locals over its planned plant at Trecwm which it says would generate around three tonnes of green hydrogen daily - enough for a single bus to travel more than 40,000 miles or the equivalent of 350 journeys from Fishguard to Cardiff.
Following a feedback session from locals in October and November 2022, the company said it saw over 80% of people support or strongly support the project. It added that plans had now moved forward, with some changes made to the proposal following feedback from the communities, stakeholders and the wider public.
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These are reflected in the Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report that has now been submitted to Planning and Environment Wales.
Mícheál Ó Broin, Senior Project Manager at Statkraft, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has engaged with us, and shared their thoughts and ideas for Trecwn Green Energy Hub. It’s really encouraging that over 80% of people who returned the feedback form were either strongly supportive or supportive, and to see the project recognised in the Senedd, which I think demonstrates a real appetite for green energy production across Pembrokeshire and in Wales more widely.”
He added: “Where possible, we’ve responded to some of the key issues raised by making changes to the proposals, which are reflected in the scoping report. The project team will be busy over the next few months, carrying out studies and surveys and reflecting the results in the detailed proposal, which we look forward to sharing later this year.”
Statkraft said its project team is now considering two options for the site and has made changes to the project boundary for the solar farm. The first option was chosen for accessibility reasons, in particular the distribution of hydrogen for transport and industrial use.
The second option, which has been included in the Scoping Report, moves components further away from residential properties. The final preferred location will be informed by the results of the Environmental Impact Assessment.
While the area being considered for solar panels has been reduced from 42 hectares to 28 hectares, moving it further away from several neighbouring properties. The layout will avoid high quality agricultural land, in line with the priorities of the Welsh Government.
Statkraft, which is wholly-owned by the Norwegian state, said it hopes that hydrogen generated at Trecwn will be used to power trains running on railway lines west of Swansea.
While there are currently no hydrogen powered trains in the UK, long-term Statkraft said there is potential with hydrogen trains delivering many of the benefits of railway electrification, such as using a zero-carbon fuel, but at significantly lower capital costs and with fewer requirements for new infrastructure. There are hydrogen powered trains in operation in Germany.
The company said it could also power Pembrokeshire Council’s fleet of HGV lorries and local buses, or local factories and businesses.
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