This milestone sees all the hard work pay off as the Royal Glamorgan Hospital receives its first boost of power from the Coed-Ely Solar Farm. This ambitious project is providing a unique opportunity to deliver energy for the benefit of our communities. Any electricity generated that is not used by the hospital is fed into the National Grid, helping strengthen the UK’s overall energy security. But ‘local’ is at the heart of this project, local power and local impact.
Mark Williams, Vital Energi’s Partnerships Director, said: “Seeing clean, low-carbon energy transmitted to Royal Glamorgan Hospital is more than just a technical achievement, it’s a demonstration of how the public sector can collaborate to achieve its net zero goals. This is another fantastic addition to Wales’s low-carbon energy infrastructure and one which will contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for everyone.
“We’d like to congratulate Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council on a visionary scheme which created a template for collaboration which can be replicated throughout Wales and beyond.”
The Coed Ely Solar Farm was constructed on a reclaimed colliery site, turning 84 acres of former industrial land into a renewable energy asset for the region. As one of the largest local-authority solar projects in Wales, it generates enough clean energy to power around 8,000 homes annually while contributing 5MW to the grid.
Claire Thompson, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation, said, “This is a landmark moment for our health board and for the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. The switch-on of solar energy is more than just a technical achievement - it’s a symbol of our commitment to delivering healthcare in a sustainable, forward-thinking way.
“We’re proud to be part of a project that not only reduces our carbon footprint but also strengthens our partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Vital Energi. This is just the beginning of our journey toward a greener future.
“A heartfelt thank you to all our colleagues whose dedication and hard work made this milestone possible.”