Rhigos Road, Rhondda Cynon Taf

Project Details

Enviromena has developed a 9.99 MWp solar farm in Rhigos, Aberdare which is now in construction.

LOCATION:	Rhigos, Aberdare, South Wales
POWER CAPACITY:	9.99MWp
STATUS:	In construction
MODULES:	JA Solar 710Wp Bi-facial modules
NUMBER OF MODULES INSTALLED:	14,084
INVERTERS:	Huawei SUN2000 String Inverters
NUMBER OF INVERTERS INSTALLED:	26
CONNECTION VOLTAGE:	11kV
ENERGISATION DATE:	Forecast Q4 2025

What was involved

The project was identified by Enviromena as a part-consented site with grid and land rights in place with the landowner. A partnership was formed with the original developer of the scheme Regener8 Power, and a planning application was submitted to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

Enviromena had already forged relationships with the local community, the DNO, the LPA and other stakeholders following the development of the Bryngolwg solar farm development which neighbours the site.

The project was subsequently granted planning permission with no objections from statutory consultees or the local community.

Planning

As highlighted above, the project received no objections from the local community during the planning process. Furthermore, when the project was reported to planning committee, there were no objections outstanding from statutory consultees.

During the planning process, key focus was placed on ensuring minimal landscape and visual impact and the development team worked closely with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to incorporate additional screening planting across the site to minimise impact on nearby viewpoints including views from the Brecon Beacons.

Furthermore, and similar to the Bryngolwg development, the land contains historic coal mining features and as such detailed mitigation and engagement was required with the Coal Authority throughout the planning process. Sufficient buffers from the coal mining features were agreed with, working closely alongside our specialist geotechnical expert.

Enviromena continued to liaise with the local community throughout the planning process and agreed a community benefit fund to support local projects and initiatives.

Construction

Construction commenced in August 2025 and energisation is forecasted to take place in December 2025.

Management of the site

Enviromena will own and operate the site utilising the expertise of our in-house O&M and asset management teams. This includes the team carrying out performance monitoring, security monitoring, preventative / reactive maintenance, landscape management all while ensuring safety is maintained.