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Caerphilly County Borough Renewable Energy

Baseline Assessment

2015 Update

Executive Summary

The ‘One Wales’ document set out Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to tackling climate

change. This included achieving annual carbon reduction-equivalent emissions reductions of 3% per

year by 2011.

Since the formation of a new Government, the ‘One Wales’ agreement is no longer effective.

However, its objectives with regard to renewable energy are enshrined in particular areas of national

planning policy that continue to be in force. For instance, Edition 7 of Planning Policy Wales stated

that “Local planning authorities should plan positively for all forms of renewable and low energy

development using up to date and appropriate evidence”, and that they “should guide appropriate

renewable and low carbon energy development by undertaking an assessment of the potential of all

renewable energy resources and renewable and low carbon energy opportunities within their area”.

Acknowledging this, a Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment (REBA) was undertaken in 2011 to

assess the potential of various categories of renewable energy development within Caerphilly County

Borough. However, the Council is currently reviewing its Local Development Plan and it is therefore

considered necessary to update the REBA as part of the review process.

This piece of work will be useful in terms of providing the foundation of a robust evidence base that

can be utilised as part of the review of the Plan and will also help to inform the work of the Council in

terms of promoting sustainable development more generally.

Renewable electricity potential

This study has identified a total renewable electricity generation potential in Caerphilly County

Borough of 340,228 MWh/yr, equivalent to 47% of the projected electricity consumption of the

authority area in 2020 of 630,400 MWh/yr. The largest potential resource is Solar energy, however

Wind Energy is also playing an important role.

Renewable heat potential

The total potential for renewable heat is calculated to be around 75,800 MWth/y (for CHP) up to

115,460 MWh/yr (for heat only generation). These potential heat generations equates to 5.4% - 8.2%,

(depending on the heat generation method used) of the projected heat demand for the authority area

in 2020. The largest potential heat generation resource is energy from waste, followed by energy

crops and wood fuel.

We identify the following as potential opportunities within Caerphilly:

 Wind energy, however cumulative visual impact is likely to limit the exploitation of this

resource. Detailed feasibility work of specific sites would be required to confirm the viability of

specific sites.

 Solar PV, both building integrated and ground based. Further survey work would be required

to identify viable projects as well a landscape sensitivity and capacity study. Again, the

cumulative impact is likely to limit the exploration of this resource.

 There are potential opportunities for heat networks in the Maesycwmmer, Nelson and

Caerphilly. These should be reviewed to identify potential amenable anchor loads prior to

committing to further technical and economic viability analysis.

Background

The Welsh Government, through its Climate Change Strategy, has resolved that all sectors of the

community will play the fullest possible part in meeting statutory targets on greenhouse gas emission

reduction.

Climate change and energy security are key priorities of both the UK and Welsh Governments. The

use of fossil fuels is seen as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, a major cause of

global climate change and moving towards a low carbon energy based economy to tackle the causes

of climate change and improve energy security are a Government priority. The generation and use of

renewable and low carbon energy sources has a key role to play in this and the UK Government is

committed to meeting the EU target of 15 percent of energy from renewable sources by 2020. The

Climate Change Act 2008 introduces a legally binding target of at least a 34 percent cut in

greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and at least an 80 percent cut by 2050, against a 1990 baseline.

In terms of the planning system, Welsh Government policy exists within both the most recent edition

of Planning Policy Wales (PPW 7

Edition) and Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8 on Renewable

Energy.

PPW states that local planning authorities should “plan positively for all forms of renewable and low

energy development using up to date and appropriate evidence”, and that they “should guide

appropriate renewable and low carbon energy development by undertaking an assessment of the

potential of all renewable energy resources and renewable and low carbon energy opportunities

within their area”. Similarly, TAN 8 requires local planning authorities to “consider the specific

requirements of individual renewable energy technologies…which are likely to come forward during

the plan period”.

To this end, Caerphilly County Borough Council which undertook a Renewable Energy Baseline

Assessment (REBA) in 2011, was carried out in accordance with the Welsh Government guidance

document: “Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy – A Toolkit for Planners”. The first part

of that document sets out the policy context behind this work in a comprehensive fashion; therefore

there is no need to repeat it here. There is now a need to update this baseline assessment.

Scope of the Renewable Energy Assessment: 2015 Update

The Council is now looking to carry out a replacement to the Local Development Plan (LDP). As part

of this review, there is a need to update this report. Once complete, this document will build upon the

evidence base for renewable energy in the county borough.

The LDP was adopted by the Council in November 2010. At this time, the LDP contained no specific

policies in relation to sustainable forms of energy, although those policies within the Plan that set out

locational constraints on development play a role in determining the permissibility of proposals for

development of this nature. Since Adoption, a number of renewable energy schemes have been

implemented across the County Borough.

This report is not intended for use as a development control tool, with regard to the

determination of individual planning applications. Its application is strategic, rather than

locally specific.

It is also considered that the findings of this assessment will be useful in the following ways:

 Helping the Council to take action on a corporate level to help achieve a low carbon economy;

and

 Providing a catalyst for action at a community level and communicating the need for an increased

uptake in renewable energy.

Structure of the Renewable Energy Assessment

The assessment was undertaken in accordance with the procedures set out in the updated Welsh

Government practice guidance document: “Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy – A

Toolkit for Planners, September 2015”

The Toolkit is divided into a number of project sheets, each of which seeks to assess the potential for

a specific source of renewable or low carbon energy. In order to ascertain which project sheets to

complete, the Toolkit categorises them by policy options and evidence base options. The policy

options identified within the Toolkit are as follows:

 P1. Develop area-wide renewable energy targets and monitor progress;

 P2. Inform site allocations for new development;

 P3. Identify suitable areas for stand-alone renewable energy developments;

 P4. Identify opportunities and requirements for renewable or low carbon energy generation

linked to strategic new build development sites;

 P5. Develop policy mechanisms to support District Heating Networks (DHNs) for strategic

sites;

 P6. Identify further actions for local authority, public sector and wider stakeholders.

The evidence base options are:

 E1. Area-wide renewable energy assessment;

 E2. Building integrated renewables uptake assessment;

 E3. Heat opportunities mapping;

 E4. Detailed viability appraisal for strategic sites.

As stated above, the primary rationale for undertaking this REBA is twofold:

 To provide a robust evidence base for first revision of the LDP; and

 To aid the Council corporately in terms of developing its community leadership role with regard

to renewable and low carbon energy initiatives.

This approach allies itself to policy options P1-P4 of the Toolkit. Therefore, the REBA is required to

undertake those project sheets that, together, form the basis for these broad areas. These project

sheets are:

 Energy baseline/future target guidelines

 Existing and proposed low and zero carbon energy technologies

 Wind energy resource

 Biomass Energy Resource

 Energy from waste

 Anaerobic digestion

 Hydropower energy resource

 Heat opportunities mapping*

 Building integrated renewables (BIR)*

 Calculating Annual Energy Output using Capacity Factors

 Solar PV Farms

* Sheet G (Heat opportunities mapping) and sheet H (Building integrated Renewables) were not included in

the initial 2011 study, as they were not required for the purposes of the Adopted LDP as housing sites had

already been indeifitied prior to the publication of the toolkit.

Sheet K (Solar PV Farms) is a new project sheet included in the September 2015 Update, and was not

included in the initial study.

Policy context

This section summaries the current policy context for renewable energy, low carbon technologies and

new developments across the UK and in Wales.

Renewable Energy Directive: The UK has signed up to the Directive, agreeing to legally binding

targets of 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Modelling undertaken on behalf of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) suggests

that by 2020, this could mean:

 More than 30% of our electricity generated from renewable energy sources

 12% of our heat generated from renewable energy sources

 10% of transport energy from renewable energy sources

The UK Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) (2009) sets out how the UK will increase the use of

renewable electricity, heat and transport to meet this target and address the urgent challenges of

climate change and national security of energy supply.

Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition (2012) sets out how the Welsh Government will ‘create a

sustainable, low carbon economy for Wales’, working in partnership with private, public and social

sectors to secure investment in infrastructure and simplifying the regulatory framework.

Climate Change Strategy for Wales (2010) Wales has set a target to reduce its emissions of

greenhouses gases by 3% per year from 2011 from areas of devolved competence. The strategy sets

out in more detail the actions the Welsh Government are proposing to deliver their climate change

objectives. Progress is reported annually with the latest version, at the time of writing, being

December 2014.

Building Regulations and Nearly Zero Energy: Future changes to the Wales Building Regulations

Part L are expected to bring in even more challenging dwelling (CO2) emissions rate targets for

residential development and for commercial development. The EU Energy Performance in Buildings

Directive Recast (2012) requires that all new buildings are ‘Nearly Zero Energy’ by 2018 for public

buildings and 2020 for all buildings. For large sites, DH from a low carbon source is likely to be one of

the most cost-effective ways of achieving this. There will be a review of Part L in 2016 in Wales.

Feed in Tariffs (FITs). The 2008 Energy Act contains powers for the introduction of FITs in Great

Britain to incentivise renewable electricity installations up to a maximum capacity, at the time of

writing, of 5 MW. The introduction of FITs in 2010 has significantly increased revenue for small-scale

generators of renewable electricity, such as PV systems and small wind turbines.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The Energy Act 2008 also enabled the setting up of a RHI, which

provides financial assistance to generators of renewable heat and to some producers of renewable

heat, such as producers of biomethane. RHI was introduced in 2011. The incentive payments are

funded by a levy on suppliers of fossil fuels for heat. RHI covers a wide range of technologies

including biomass, solar hot water, air and ground source heat pumps, biomass CHP, biogas

produced from anaerobic digestion and injection of biomethane into the gas grid.

The introduction of the RHI has made generation of renewable heat more financially viable than it was

previously.

The Renewables Obligation (RO). The RO is the main current financial support scheme for

renewable electricity in the UK, and is administered by Ofgem. It obliges electricity suppliers in the UK

to source a proportion of their electricity from renewable supplies. They demonstrate this has been

achieved by showing they have the required quantity of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs),

which renewable electricity generators are awarded for their output.

If suppliers fail to meet their target, they have to pay a fine and also the value of the fine “pot” is, on

an annual basis, split among those suppliers who do meet their targets. This creates a market for the

ROCs and means that generators of renewable electricity can sell the ROCs that they receive for

significantly more than they receive for their electricity output. The intention is that RO will continue to

incentivise electricity generation from larger scale renewable energy installations, whilst the FIT will

be aimed at smaller generators. The scheme will close in 2016, to be replaced with feed-in tariffs with

Contracts for Difference (CfD).

Contract for Difference (CfD). CfDs provide long-term price stabilization to low carbon plant,

allowing investment to come forward at a lower cost of capital and therefore at a lower cost to

consumers. CfDs require generators to sell energy into the market as usual but, to reduce exposure

to fluctuating electricity prices and provide a variable top-up from the market price to a pre-agreed

‘strike price’. At times when the market price exceeds the strike price, the generator is required to pay

pack the difference, thus protecting consumers from over-payment.

The CfD for renewable energy is a key mechanism of Electricity Market Reform, the delivery body of

which is the National Grid who is responsible for publishing guidelines and running the CfD allocation

process. A CfD is a private law contract between a low carbon electricity generator and the Low

Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), a government owned company. A generator party to a CfD is

paid the difference between the ‘strike price’ – a price for electricity reflecting the cost of investing in a

particular low carbon technology – and the ‘reference price’ – a measure of the average market price

for electricity in the GB market. The first CfD Allocation Round was undertaken in 2014 with first

results, including applicants, technologies, capacities, clearing price and delivery year, published in

February 2015. The first CfDs were signed in March 2015.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

The Low Carbon Buildings Programme is

open to all products and installer companies registered on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is an independent scheme that certifies microgeneration

products and installers in accordance with consistent standards. It is designed to evaluate

microgeneration products and installers against robust criteria providing greater protection for

consumers

Wales policy context for planning and renewable energy.

The planning system’s role in shaping places with lower carbon emissions and resilience to climate

change is set out in PPW. Since the previous REBA study, a number of amendments have been

made by Welsh Government to Renewable Energy through changing legislations. These are

summarised below.

1. In July 2014, the Welsh Government made changes to Part L of the Building Regulations which

set the requirements to reduce CO2 emissions for new homes by 8% and non-domestic

buildings by 20% in the aggregate across the building stock (against 2010 standards).

2. To coincide with this, Welsh Government withdrew the national planning policy requirement for

sustainable building standards (TAN22) and amended TAN12: Design to include elements of

the removed guidance. In particular, information on the energy hierarchy; allowable solutions;

and sustainable buildings policies on strategic sites in LDPs (including retention of the

expectation for local planning authorities to assess opportunities for strategic sites to require

higher sustainable building standards).

3. In September 2009 changes were made to ‘permitted development’ rights to make provision for

the installation of certain types of micro-generation by householders without the need for

planning permission, namely solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal panels, ground and

water source heat pumps and flues for biomass heating. These rights were extended in 201213

to include air source heat pumps and stand-alone wind turbines (including anemometry masts

for testing wind speeds). Permitted Development rights were also extended to non-domestic

premises (including non-domestic buildings; agricultural and/or forestry land) in 2012 including

solar panels, stand-alone solar panel arrays, ground and water source heat pumps and flues

forming part of either a biomass heating system or a CHP system.

Project Sheet I – Energy Baseline/Future Target Guidelines

The first step in assessing renewable energy potential is to establish the baseline in terms of energy

consumption, and to what extent this will change over time having regard for future demand.

The following table

shows energy consumption in 2008 and projected energy consumption in 2020

for the UK as a whole:

2008 2020

All Energy

(MWh)

Renewable

Energy (MWh)

All Energy

(MWh)

Renewable

Energy (MWh)

Predicted all

energy % change

Electricity

387,000,000 22,000,000 386,000,000 117,000,000 - 0.3 %

Heat 711,000,000 7,000,000 599,000,000 72,000,000 -15.8 %

Transport 598,000,000 9,000,000 605,000,000 49,000,000 + 1.2 %

Total final energy

consumption

1,695,000,000 39,000,000 1,590,000,000 239,000,000 -6.2 %

Table 1: 2008 energy consumption and projected 2020 consumption

This indicates that future total final energy consumption will decrease by 2020, with renewable energy

accounting for a much greater proportion.

Table 2 provides energy consumption data

(in MWh) at the UK, Wales and Caerphilly levels, using

categories employed by the UK Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy (RES) from 2008. It was

included in the first Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment in 2011 but since the assessment was

published the data has been updated by DECC. The following table includes the updated data. The

table also includes figures for 2012 for comparison purposes.

RES Sector

UK Wales Caerphilly

2008 2012 2008 2012 2008 2012

Electricity 304,625,000 290,863,900 16,267,200 15,284,900 664,000 647,200

Heat 831,615,800 724,798,500 59,898,200 50,750,400 2,040,700 1,724,300

Transport 480 436 800 436,112,100 23,889,100 21,457,900 946,700 853,400

Total 1,616,678,000 1,451,775,000 100,054,500 87,493,200 3,651,400 3,224,900

Table 2: Energy consumption for UK, Wales and Caerphilly 2008 and 2012

This indicates that overall energy consumption in Caerphilly has decreased between 2008 and 2012

by 2.6%.

As part of the first Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment in 2011, it was assumed that the

projected level of consumption by 2020 would follow the same trends as table 1. Using the updated

2008 data in table 2, table 3 provides this information with figures expressed in MWh.

RES Sector

UK Wales Caerphilly

2020 2020 2020

Electricity 303,711,125 16,218,398 662,008

Heat 700,220,503.6 50,434,284 1,718,269

Transport 486,202,041.6 24,175,769 958,060

Total 1,516,443,964 93,851,121 3,425,013

Table 3: Projected 2020 energy consumption using predicted percentage change

Taken from ‘Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy – A Toolkit for Planners, July 2010’

Data source: www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/total-final-energy-consumption-at-regional-and-local-authority-level-2005-to-

2010

If we compare 2012 data in table 2 with that in table 3 it shows that in 2012 we have already reduced

our electricity consumption to well below the calculated 2020 projection. The heat consumption target

is also within reach. Consequently, the following table shows projected energy consumption for 2020

using the reduction percentage between 2008 and 2012 data for Caerphilly.

RES Sector

Caerphilly

2008 2012 2020

Electricity 664,000 647,200 630,400

Heat 2,040,700 1,724,300 1,407,900

Transport 946,700 853,400 760,100

Table 4: Projected 2020 energy consumption for Caerphilly using 2008-2012 change

It should be noted that the categories used in this project sheet, and the data within it, has been

collated by the UK Government’s Department for Energy and Climate Change. As is shown, transport

is included as a separate category from electricity and heat, and has to be included here in order not

to provide an inaccurate or misleading baseline figure. However, the remaining project sheets do not

concern themselves with any potential sources of renewable energy that could feasibly linked to

transportation, and that this area would need to be the subject of a different study.

Explanation of Energy Terms

In this report, power is expressed in terms of megawatts (MW), which is equal to one million watts.

This is a measure of the electricity or heat output being generated or used at any given moment in

time. The maximum output of an installation when it is running at full power, such as a wind farm for

instance, is referred to as its installed capacity.

In terms of units used, it can be important to distinguish between the type of output being produced.

This is because some renewable energy fuels (e.g. biomass) can be used to produce either heat only

or electricity and heat simultaneously when used in a combined heat and power (CHP) facility.

Therefore, the suffix “e” is added (as in MWe) to denote electricity output, and “t” (for “thermal”) to

denote heat output.

Energy, as opposed to power, is the product of power and time. Megawatt hours (MWh) have been

used in this report as an expression of energy. For example, if a 2MW wind turbine operated at full

power for one day, it would generate 48 MWh (2 x 24).

Project Sheet J – Calculating Annual Energy Output using Capacity

Factors

The results of the area wide resource assessments, for different technologies, will give an indication

of the potential installed capacity (in terms of MW of power output) that can be supported by the

available resource. However, the UK renewable energy target for 2020 is expressed in terms of a %

of energy demand. Therefore, in order to be compatible with this target, as well as knowing the

potential installed renewable energy capacity in an area, we also need to be able to estimate how

much energy this capacity could generate.

A simple and well established way of doing this is to use capacity factors (these are also sometimes

referred to as load factors). These factors, which vary by technology, are a measure of how much

energy a generating station will typically produce in a year for any given installed capacity. This

reflects the fact that the installed capacity is a measure of the maximum amount of power that a

generating station can produce at any given moment. However, for reasons to do with either fuel

availability (which, in the case of renewable energy, includes natural energy flows such as the wind,

sun and water, as well as solid fuels such as biomass), the need for maintenance downtime, or, for

heat generating plant, a lack of heat demand at certain times of day or year, the capacity factor is

always less than 1.

Since the 2011 Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment, the capacity factor figures have been

updated, however this is not represented in the Updated toolkit for Planning Officers. The new figures

have been sourced from the ‘Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics 2014’, by Department of

Energy & Climate Change (see table 4). For any particular technology, the capacity factor (CF) is

defined as follows:

typical annual energy output / annual energy output if plant generated at full capacity for the entire

year

Therefore, for any given generating station, its annual energy output can be calculated by multiplying

its installed capacity by its capacity factor and the number of hours in a year. For example, a biomass

power station with an installed capacity of 5MWe, and a CF of 0.655, the annual energy output would

be:

5 x 0.655 x 365 x 24 = 28,689 MWhe

Those forms of renewable electricity generation that rely on intermittent natural flows of energy (such

as wind, photovoltaics and hydropower) inevitably have lower capacity factors than those that are

fuelled by biomass (or waste), in its various forms, as the biomass can be stored to ensure a

continuity of supply. A summary of different capacity factors for different technologies is given:

Technology Capacity factor Comments and source

Onshore Wind 0.289 DUKES 2014, figure for 2013

Biomass (animal) 0.649 DUKES 2014, figure for 2013

Biomass (plant) 0.655 DUKES 2014, figure for 2013

Anaerobic Digestion 0.602 DUKES 2014, figure for 2013

Hydropower (small scale) 0.351 DUKES 2014, figure for 2013

Energy from Waste 0.423 DUKES 2014, figure for 2013

Landfill gas 0.568 DUKES 2014, figure for 2013

Sewage gas 0.432 DUKES 2014, figure for 2013

BIR electricity 0.1 Average for PV and micro & small wind

Digest of UK energy statistics, 2014, table 6.5

www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/338750/DUKES_2014_printed.pdf

Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy – A Toolkit for Planners, 2010, table 53

http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/100716toolkitlowresen.pdf

Solar Farm 0.1 Regen SW

Table 5: Renewable electricity generation capacity factors

Technology

Capacity

factor

Comments and source

Heat from CHP (from biomass or energy

from waste, or from large scale heat only

biomass or energy from waste)

0.5

This allows for the fact that not all of the

waste heat can be usefully used 100% of

the time

BIR heat (solar water heating, heat pumps,

biomass boilers)

0.2

This is an average across a range of

technologies, covering heat pumps, wood

chip and pellet boilers and solar water

heating

Table 6: Renewable heat generation capacity factors

Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy – A Toolkit for Planners, 2010, table 54

http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/100716toolkitlowresen.pdf

Project Sheet A – Existing and Proposed Low and Zero Carbon Energy

Technologies

To demonstrate the progress being made within the county borough and to establish a baseline of

installed capacity that will inform future potential and target setting, the capacity of low and zero

carbon (LZC) technologies already installed in the county borough has been established. Where LZC

energy technologies already exist, the installed capacities (measured in MW) were recorded and

incorporated as a contribution to overall final targets.

This assessment of existing capacity covers electricity and heat generation, and large scale as well as

‘building integrated renewables’ (BIR) generation. For larger schemes, it also includes those that

have received planning consent, but are not yet built.

Renewable electricity capacity

Larger scale renewable electricity capacity

Using the Renewable Energy Planning Database

table 7 below provides information from DECC on

renewable energy projects in Caerphilly County Borough that are either ‘operational, ‘under

construction’ or ‘awaiting construction’ As this database only includes details of schemes that require

planning permission, it does not include a lot of microgeneration, and it is only accurate up to the last

date of the last survey. It may also not pick up smaller generating projects. For this reason, the

existing capacity has been cross checked by referring to the Ofgem renewable and CHP register and

with formation is further evidenced with the list of planning applications in Appendix 1. This provides a

list of accredited generating stations that are, or are soon to be, operational, and eligible for

Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs).

Site Name Technology

Installed

Capacity

MWe

Status Source

Trehir Generation Project Landfill Gas 1.3 Awaiting Construction DECC

Trecatti Landfill Gas 7.0 Operational DECC

Cwmcaesingrug Farm Solar Photovoltaic 10.0 Awaiting Construction DECC

Penrhiwarwydd Farm Solar Photovoltaic 8.5 Awaiting Construction DECC

Hendai Farm Solar Photovoltaic 13.4 Operational DECC

Oakdale Business Park Wind Onshore 4.0 Operational DECC

Nant Gwyddon Stream Micro Hydro 0.005 Awaiting Construction CCBC

Pen-y-fan Farm Wind Onshore 0.5 Operational CCBC

Gelli-wen Farm Wind Onshore 0.5 Awaiting Construction CCBC

Bryn Ysgawen Farm Wind Onshore 0.5 Operational CCBC

Bedlwyn Farm Wind Onshore 0.5 Awaiting Construction CCBC

Total 46.205

Table 7: Existing renewable electricity capacity schemes confirmed on 09/04/15

Existing smaller scale and microgeneration capacity (electricity)

Schools

The Council, in partnership with United Welsh Housing Association, installed solar photovoltaic

systems in the following schools in the Heads of the Valleys area:

February 2015 www.gov.uk/government/collections/renewable-energy-planning-data

Markham Primary School

Bryn Awel Primary School

Pontlottyn Primary School

White Rose Primary School

Fochriw Primary School

Ysgol Bro Sannon

Heolddu Comprehensive School

Rhymney Comprehensive School

Lewis School

Park Primary School

St Gwladys Bargoed School

Gilfach Fargoed Primary School

YG Gilfach Fargoed

Deri Primary School

Phillipstown Primary School

Aberbargoed Primary School

Schools technology type Schools total installed capacity

Solar photovoltaic

0.05787 MWe

Table 8: Installed capacity of solar photovoltaic panels through UWHA (CCBC SD Team

20/04/2015).

Caerphilly County Borough Council also installed solar photovoltaic systems in Greenhill

Primary School, Ysgol Ifor Bach, Rhymney Comprehensive School, St James ICC, Trinity

Fields School, Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School, and Cwm Ifor Primary School. All of these

receive the feed-in tariff payments and therefore their installed capacities have been

included in the feed-in tariff table below.

Feed in Tariff Scheme

The government introduced the Feed in Tariff scheme (FiTs) on 1st April 2010 in order to

promote the uptake of a range of small-scale renewable and low-carbon electricity

generation technologies across Great Britain. It covers the following five technologies:

1. Solar Photovoltaics up to 5MW

2. Wind up to 5MW

3. Hydro up to 5MW

4. Anaerobic Digestion up to 5MW

5. Micro CHP plants up to 2kW

The larger installations (greater than 50kW) and all hydro and anaerobic digestion

installations must apply for accreditation via Ofgem’s ROOFiT process. Smaller installations

(including all Micro CHP) must apply for accreditation via the Microgeneration Certification

Scheme (MCS). Both of these accreditation routes will result in the installation being

registered on Ofgem’s Central FiTs Register (CFR).

The following table shows a cumulative total for all installations confirmed on the Central

Feed in Tariff Register (CFR) for the county borough from 1

April 2010 to 31

March 2015.

Table 9: Cumulative total of installations confirmed on CFR up to 31/03/2015

Information in purple indicates a Building Integrated Renewable (BIR)

Microgeneration electricity schemes (MWe)

Technology Domestic Non-Domestic Total

Photovoltaics

5.382 0.369 5.751

Wind

0.018 1.000 1.018

Hydro

0.008 0 0.008

Anaerobic Digestion

0 0.499 0.499

Total

5.607 1.878 7.485

Other installations

If generators of renewable energy technologies are not claiming payments for the amount of

energy generated their information will not be available from data sources such as the CFR.

In order to obtain information on these schemes, we have contacted Welsh Government and

the CCBC’s Energy, Water & Conservation Officer. Table 10 contains the information we

have received to date (21/04/2015) for electricity generating installations.

Name of scheme Technology Domestic

Non-

Domestic

Source

Solar PV 0.039 WG

Onshore wind 0.007 WG

Onshore wind 0.012 WG

Greenhill Primary School Onshore wind 0.006 WG

TOTAL 0.024 0.052

Table 10: Cumulative total of confirmed installations not claiming payments

Renewable heat capacity

Renewable Heat Premium Payment

The Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme (RHPP) was first launched in July 2011. It

was a government grant schemes designed to encourage homeowners to switch to

renewable heat technologies. The scheme ran until the end of March 2014 before the launch

of the domestic RHI.

Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme

This is a Government scheme designed to provide financial support to encourage switching

from using fossil fuel for heating to renewables. The Government introduced the RHI in two

phases. In 2012 phase one was launched to support the non-domestic sector and in April

2014 the domestic RHI was launched.

Broadly speaking, the scheme provides a subsidy per kWhth of eligible renewable heat

generated from accredited installations and a subsidy payable to producers of biomethane

for injection. For installations up to and including 45kWth, both installers and equipment

need to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent

standard, helping to ensure quality assurance and consumer protection.

Table 11 shows a cumulative total for all installations through the RHPP and RHI since they

came into being.

Renewable Heat Incentive Schemes

Scheme Installed capacity (MWt)

RHPP (Heat pump and biomass) 0.3

Domestic RHI (up to 07/06/15) 0.0118

Non-domestic RHI (up to 25/05/15) 1.391

TOTAL 1.7028

Table 11: Cumulative total of installations confirmed

Other installations

If generators of renewable energy technologies are not claiming payments for the amount of

energy generated their information will not be available from data sources such as the CFR.

Information in purple indicates a Building Integrated Renewable (BIR)

In order to obtain information on these schemes, we have contacted Welsh Government and

the CCBC’s Energy, Water & Conservation Officer. Table 12 contains the information we

have received to date (21/04/2015) for heat generating installations.

Other Renewable heat installations from WG and CCBC (MWt)

Name of scheme Technology Domestic Non-Domestic Source

Solar thermal 0.00371 LCBP

Biomass 0.005 LCBP

Biomass 0.022 LCBP

Solar thermal 0.0102 LCBP

GSHP 0.0158 LCBP

ASHP 0.014 LCBP

GSHP 0.008 WG

Arbed Solar Installations Solar thermal 0.008 WG

Caerphilly Properties (308) Solar thermal 0.008 WG

Y Llaethdy (13 properties) ASHP 0.510972 WG

ASHP 0.014 WG

Ty Penallta GSHP 0.016 WG

Pontllanfraith Comprehensive Biomass 0.7 WG

Ysgol Ifor Bach Biomass 0.1 WG

Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr Biomass 1 WG

ASHP 0.02 WG

Bargoed CAB office ASHP 0.022 CCBC

Caerphilly Leisure Centre ASHP 0.027 CCBC

Cwmcarn Scenic Drive ASHP 0.085 CCBC

Declaire House ASHP 0.042 CCBC

Hanger 81 ASHP 0.090 CCBC

Islwyn Indoor Bowls ASHP 0.096 CCBC

Newbridge Comprehensive ASHP 0.019 CCBC

Newbridge Leisure Centre ASHP 0.088 CCBC

Parc Cwm Darren ASHP 0.023 CCBC

Penmaen Street Lighting ASHP 0.026 CCBC

Pontygwindy House ASHP 0.058 CCBC

Risca Leisure Centre ASHP 0.050 CCBC

St Cenydd Leisure Centre ASHP 0.019 CCBC

Tir Y Berth Depot B3 ASHP 0.010 CCBC

Tir Y Berth Depot B4 ASHP 0.015 CCBC

Tir Y Berth Depot B5 ASHP 0.010 CCBC

Tredomen House ASHP 0.059 CCBC

Ty Dyffryn House ASHP 0.147 CCBC

Winding House ASHP 0.085 CCBC

TOTAL

0.605682 2.821

3.426682

Table 12: Cumulative total of installations confirmed up to 21/04/2015

Information in purple indicates a Building Integrated Renewable (BIR)

Project Sheet B – Wind Energy Resource

The purpose of this project sheet is to identify the total area of land that is potentially suitable

for wind development. This figure can then be converted to arrive at a potential installed

capacity and energy output.

For this assessment, as proposed in the ‘Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy –

A Toolkit for Planners, 2015’, we have used a wind turbine of:

Rated output: 2MW

Hub height: 80m

Rotor diameter: 80m

Height to blade tip at highest point (“tip height”): 120m

Potentially one parcel of land has been indicated as having potential for wind development.

However, this conclusion has been reached on the basis that none of these sites are subject

to any of the constraints looked at in terms of this exercise, which are set out below. It does

not imply that a proposal for such development on any of these sites is in conformity with

local or national planning policy, and further detailed studies are required in order to

establish this.

Step 1

The first step in this process was to map all those factors that might be considered a

constraint to the operational viability of wind development within the county borough. These

were considered to be the following:

Those areas where average annual wind speed (AAWS) is less than 6.0 m/s at 45m above

ground level (agl);

Environmental and heritage constraints (SACs, SSSIs, LNRs, Forestry Commission

woodlands, SAMs, Historic Parks and Landscapes and Conservation Areas);

Buffer zones around the principal and secondary transport networks and around inland

waters;

A 500m buffer zone around each settlement boundary (taken to represent existing dwellings)

and within 500m of the county borough boundary, to take account of properties in adjacent

local authority areas;

The Cardiff Control Area (controlled airspace) and those areas determined by the National

Air Traffic Service (NATS) as being affected by air traffic control.

Step 2

The next step was to prioritise the remaining (unconstrained) area. The Toolkit suggests

using six categories, as follows:

 Priority 1 – High AAWS, low NATS disruption;

 Priority 2 – Moderate AAWS, low NATS disruption;

 Priority 3 – High AAWS, moderate NATS disruption;

 Priority 4 – Moderate AAWS, moderate NATS disruption;

 Priority 5 – High AAWS, high NATS disruption;

 Priority 6 – Moderate AAWS, high NATS disruption.

However, the NATS data used did not appear to differentiate between high, medium and low

levels of disruption – it merely formed a GIS layer that indicated some sort of constraint in

this regard. Therefore, only two priority categories were used, ‘Priority 1’ being areas of high

AAWS (greater than 6.5 m/s at 45m agl) and ‘Priority 2’ being areas of medium AAWS

(between 6.0 and 6.5 m/s at 45m agl). The data is as follows:

Wind Resource Priority

Unconstrained Area

(km

)

Capacity (MW)

Potential Energy

Generated (MWh)

Priority 1 2.42 24.20 61,265.69

Priority 2 1.08 10.80 27,341.71

Table 13: Potential energy generated in priority 1 and 2 areas

Step 3

The final step involved taking account of cumulative visual and landscape impacts and

merging the remaining unconstrained land to form clusters, each of which could potentially

accommodate a wind farm. This included the following steps, undertaken sequentially:

Amalgamating all unconstrained wind resource parcels in both priority areas that are within

four times the rotor diameter (320m) of each other to form potential wind farm clusters;

Discounting any remaining clusters that lie within 7km of the largest cluster, and repeating

this process with the next largest, and so on.

The toolkit also suggests discounting any clusters that lie within 7km of an existing or

consented wind turbine development (including such developments that lie across the

county borough boundary). However, when a 7km buffer was added to the relevant data

layer (showing existing and consented micro, small, medium, large and very large scale wind

development), it showed no suitable land within the county borough boundary.

If only large and very large existing and consented wind developments were used, one

cluster would remain in the north of the county borough. This would result in the following

potential capacity:

Potential wind farm Area (km

) Potential capacity (MW)

1 1.03 10.3

Table 14: Potential wind capacity

Annual Energy Output

To calculate the annual energy output (MWh) for electricity, the following formula can be

used:

Installed capacity x capacity factor x 8760

8760 is the number of hours in a (non-leap) year. The capacity factor is defined as typical

annual energy output divided by annual energy output if a plant generated at full capacity for

the entire year.

Therefore, the annual energy output is 10.3 x 0.289 x 8760 = 26,075.89 MWhe.

Comparison with Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment 2011

In the 2011 Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment, three parcels of land were identified

as having potential for wind development. This information is set out in the table below.

Potential Wind Farm Area (sq km) Potential Capacity (MW)

Potential Energy Generated

(MWh)

1 0.35 3.5 8,278

2 0.16 1.6 3,784

3 0.13 1.3 3,075

Total 0.64 6.4 15,137

Table 15: 2011 REBA wind results

The methodology used to calculate this output has been reviewed and updated as part of

this 2015 Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment. In view of this, the annual energy output

for electricity generated from potential wind energy resource has been recalculated using an

amended buffer to give a figure of 26,075.89 MWhe.

This indicates that there is a 72% increase from the level in 2011 in the amount of electrical

energy that can potentially be generated from wind energy resource. There appears to be

greater potential for wind turbine development throughout the county borough than originally

thought i.e. larger land areas as well as more suitable locations.

Project Sheet C – Wood Fuel and Energy Crops Resource for Heat

and Power Generation

In order for the Council to fully establish its renewable energy potential, it is necessary to

assess the potential biomass resource within the county borough. For the purpose of this

assessment we have evaluated the potential available resource in Caerphilly County

Borough for harvesting wood fuel from sustainable forestry and woodland management and

the growing of “woody” energy crops.

Where areas of land have been indicated as having potential for the growing of energy

crops, further detailed studies are required prior to action as this assessment is purely

indicative. Furthermore, market demand is likely to play a key role in what, and how much is

planted.

Even where there is local demand for a biomass supply, constraints not considered within

this REBA could include the proximity of plant/technology and practical access to sites

required for preparation and delivery of fuel (note that this list is not exhaustive).

In terms of plant / technology, landowner willingness, political will, the time to complete

planning procedures and an economic distance to the nearest appropriate electricity grid

connection will all be key considerations but are not included within this assessment.

Biomass energy generation (whether generating heat, power or both), by nature, is most

usually situated a small distance away from residential development (though close enough

to supply heat), where there is room for the development including fuel storage and access

for large delivery vehicles.

Unlike wind farms, biomass can be utilised for the generation of both electricity and heat.

The use of energy crops, forestry residues and recycled wood waste for energy generation

can have a number of advantages:

 Providing opportunities for agricultural diversification;

 Encouraging increased management of woodland;

 Protecting and enhancing biodiversity;

 Removing biodegradable elements from the waste stream;

 CO

savings if replanting occurs & long distance transportation is avoided.

There is no consideration of the utilisation of straw as an energy source as Wales is a net

importer.

Wood fuel and energy crop resource is calculated using agricultural land quality (for growing

energy crops) and forestry plantation land areas (for wood fuel). More specifically, this

concerns the resource that is available from the management of existing woodland, by the

extraction of “thinnings” and the residues produced from the extraction of timber trees, the

so-called “lop and top” (i.e. tips and branches).

Potential Available Biomass Resource

Outputs Energy Crops Woodland Total

Available Area (Ha) 11,052.42 5,500.54 16,552.96

Percentage of area that can be used 10% n/a -

Useable area (Ha) 1,105.24 5,500.54 6,605.78

Yield (oven dried tonnes (ODT) per Ha) 12 0.6 -

Yield (ODT) 13,262.90 3,300.32 16,563.22

Electricity

Required ODT per MWe 6,000 n/a -

Potential installed capacity (MWe)

2.21 n/a 2.21

Heat from CHP

Required ODT per 1MWt 3,000 n/a -

Potential installed capacity (MWt) 4.42 n/a 4.42

Heat from boilers

Required ODT per MWt n/a 660 -

Potential installed capacity (MWt) from boilers n/a 5.00 5.00

Table 16: Results of 2015 REBA potential available biomass resource in CCB

Annual Energy Output

The annual energy output for electricity, using the same formula as for other energy

categories, is 2.21 x 0.655 x 8760 = 12,680.54 MWhe.

The same formula can be used to calculate the MWh for heat, using the MWt in the above

table (although the capacity factor may differ, in some instances).

The annual output for CHP is 4.42 x 0.5 x 8760 = 19,359.6 MWht, for heat only it is 5.00 x

0.5 x 8760 = 21,900 MWht.

Comparison with Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment 2011

Outputs

2011 2014/15 2011

2014/15 2011 2014/15

Energy Crops

Woodland Total

Available Area (Ha) 2,480 11,052.42 4,470 5,500.54 6,950 16,552.96

% of area that can be used 10% 10% n/a n/a - -

Useable area (Ha) 248 1,105.24 4,470 5,500.54 4,718 6,605.78

Yield (ODT per Ha) 12 12 0.6 0.6 - -

Yield (ODT) 2,976 13,262.90 2,682 3,300.32 5,658 16,563.22

Electricity

Required ODT per MWe 6,000 6,000 n/a n/a - -

Potential installed capacity

(MWe)

0.496 2.21 n/a n/a 0.496 2.21

Heat from CHP

Required ODT per 1MWt 3,000 3,000 n/a n/a - -

Potential installed capacity

(MWt)

0.99 4.42 n/a n/a 0.99 4.42

Heat only option

Required ODT per MWt n/a n/a 660 660 - -

Potential installed capacity

(MWt) from boilers

n/a n/a 4.06 5.00 4.06 5.00

Table 17: Comparison of 2011 and 2015 biomass resource in CCB

Annual Energy Output

2011 3,910 MWhe and 4,336 MWht (CHP) or 17,783 MWht (heat only)

2015 12,680.54 MWhe and 19,359.6 MWht (CHP) or 21,900 MWth (heat only)

This indicates an increase in the capacity to grow energy crops within the county borough. It

also indicates that there is an increased availability of wood fuel as a renewable energy

resource. The increase in resource from 2011 to 2015 can be attributed to a better

understanding of the data and GIS systems.

There is a continuing need to protect and enhance the existing woodland within the county

borough as urban areas gradually begin to expand outwards into the countryside. In view of

this and the above, wood fuel would be the more viable resource of the two when it comes to

energy generation.

Project Sheet D – Energy from Waste

Caerphilly County Borough Council is part of the ‘Prosiect Gwyrdd’ partnership, which

includes Cardiff Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Newport City Council, and Vale of

Glamorgan Council.

The aim of Prosiect Gwyrdd is to look for the best environmental, cost-effective and practical

solution for waste, once any opportunities for recycling and composting have been

maximised. As part of this process, the five partner authorities are committed to the Welsh

Government’s National Waste Strategy “Towards Zero Waste”. This establishes a

requirement for at least 70% of all main waste streams to be recycled by 2025. Landfilling of

all wastes will be phased out as far as possible by this time.

Other targets for consideration include a maximum level of 30% energy being created from

waste by 2024/25; a maximum of 150 kilograms (kg) of residual household waste collected

per person per annum by 2025; and that Wales should achieve zero waste by 2050.

However, household waste is only part of the waste that is produced within the county

borough. Less is known about the plans of commercial waste operators (as this remit is

outside of Prosiect Gwyrdd) to treat commercial and industrial waste streams. Organisations

involved in such activity should be fully engaged to ensure that opportunities to utilise energy

are not lost.

Further guidance should be sought from the Welsh Government in relation to whether

energy from waste (EfW) from some or all EfW technologies is, or will be, considered to be

‘renewable’ energy and, where it is confirmed to be ‘renewable’, for what proportion of the

residual waste stream (the proportion usually refers to the proportion of residual waste

deemed to be the biodegradable (BD) element).

The energy from waste potential is calculated using data on municipal, commercial and

industrial waste arisings. Data used in these calculations has been collected from the

Council’s Public Services department and Natural Resource Wales. Growth projections to

2020 for commercial and industrial waste arisings have been calculated assuming the levels

predicted in the South East Wales Regional Waste Plan (1st Review).

Outputs (2020 projections)

Municipal Solid

Waste

Commercial &

Industrial

Total

Total Waste (tonnes) 97,367 117,184 214,551

Total Residual (30%) 29,210.10 35,155 64,365.30

Total Biodegradable (renewable) element (35%) 10,223.54 12,304 22,527.86

Electricity (CHP)

Required wet tonnes per 1MWe 10,320 10,320 -

Potential Installed Capacity (MWe) 0.99 1.19 2.18

Heat (CHP)

CHP facility will produce 2MWt thermal output 1.98 2.38 4.36

Heat (Heat Only Facility)

Required wet tonnes per 1MWt 1790 1790

Potential Installed Capacity (MWt) 5.71 6.87 12.59

Table 18: Potential waste resources for Caerphilly CBC

Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and database right

Annual Energy Output

The annual energy output, using the same formula as for other energy categories, is

2.18 x 0.423 x 8760 = 8,077.9464 MWhe

The same formula can be used to calculate the MWh for heat, using the MWt in the above

table (although the capacity factor may differ, in some instances).

12.59 x 0.5 x 8760 = 55,144.2 MWht

Comparison with Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment 2011

Information on the potential available energy from waste resource as taken from the 2011

Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment is provided in the table below.

Outputs (2020 projections)

2011 2014/15 2011 2014/15 2011 2014/15

Municipal Solid

Waste

Commercial &

Industrial

Total

Total Waste (tonnes) 97,301 97,367 115,236 117,184 212,537 214,551

Total Residual (30%) 29,190 29,210.10 34,571 35,155 63,761 64,365.3

Total Biodegradable (renewable)

element (35%)

10,217 10,223.54 12,100 12,304 22,316 22,527.86

Electricity (CHP)

Required wet tonnes per 1MWe 10,320 10,320 10,320 10,304 - -

Potential Installed Capacity

(MWe)

0.99 0.99 1.17 1.19 2.16 2.18

Heat (CHP)

CHP facility will produce 2MWt

thermal output

1.98 1.98 2.34 2.38 4.32 4.36

Heat (Heat Only Facility)

Required wet tonnes per 1MWt 1790 1790 1790 1790 - -

Potential Installed Capacity

(MWt)

5.71 5.71 6.76 6.87 12.47 12.59

Table 19: Comparison of 2011 and 2015 information

Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and database right

Annual Energy Output

2011 17,029 MWhe and 54,619 MWht

2015 8,077.9464 MWhe and 55,144.2 MWht

This indicates that there is increased availability of MSW in the county borough compared to

the amount available in 2011. This has therefore increased the availability of MSW as an

energy source. Caerphilly is still committed to achieving targets set out by the Welsh

Government’s National Waste Strategy “Towards Zero Waste”, which establishes a

requirement for at least 70% of all main waste streams to be recycled by 2025.

The calculated ‘annual energy output’ is different due to updated capacity factor figures by

DECC.

Project Sheet E – Anaerobic Digestion

This project sheet is concerned with the identification of those energy sources that would be

best utilised for the purposes of anaerobic digestion. These are:

Animal manure (cattle and pigs)

Food waste

Poultry litter

Sewage sludge

For each energy source, it is necessary to establish the volume of each being generated

within the county borough, and then to convert this into potential energy yield.

Animal Manure

Contact was made with WG to establish the number of cattle and pigs in the Caerphilly

County Borough area using information from the ‘June 2014 Survey of Agriculture’. We also

contacted a representative from the FUW to establish the split between the use of slurry and

non-slurry systems on farms in the area. They estimated that approximately 3% of farms in

the Caerphilly County Borough area use a slurry system and from this we have estimated

that we could realistically collect slurry from 50% of these farms.

Livestock Total Number Slurry (Tonnes pa) Available Slurry (Wet Tonnes pa)

Cattle 7,099 42,594 638.91

Pigs 243 145.8 2.187

Potential Energy Yield

Potential Installed Capacity (MWe) Heat Output (if CHP) (MWt)

0.0028 0.0042

Table 20: Potential installed capacity for animal manure

Food Waste

Contact was made with the waste officer within CCBC to obtain estimates on how much food

waste is currently collected. In terms of commercial food waste (e.g. from restaurants or food

processing companies) tonnage of food was collated from NRW.

CCBC gave data for 2014/15 but informed us that the food waste is collected with green

waste. Using their estimate that 60% is food waste this equates to 6,844.33 tonnes. NRW

provided data on Industrial & Commercial food waste separately collected, which in 2012

(latest figures) was estimated to be 15,902 tonnes. This is not the full picture as there will be

some businesses that do not have separate food waste collections and some householders

do not participate in food waste collection schemes (i.e. they dispose of food waste in black

bags despite having a separate recycling receptacle for food waste). Therefore the figure of

20.8%

has been utilised as the figure for food waste in trade waste streams.

Food waste Current tonnes per annum Predicted tonnes per

annum 2019/2020

Total waste (municipal & commercial) 26,287.33 26,493

Electricity

Required tonnes for 1 MW 32,000 32,000

Potential installed capacity (MWe) 0.8 0.8

CHP

Potential installed capacity (MWt) 1.2 1.2

Table 21: Potential installed capacity for food waste

Taken from the WRAP report ‘The composition of municipal solid waste in Wales’ May 2010

Poultry Litter

Existing Resource

No. birds from mass producing farms (> 10,000) 25000

Litter (tonnes) / 1,000 birds/year 42

Total available litter (tonnes) 1050

Electricity

Required tonnes for 1MW 11,000

Potential installed capacity (MW) 0.095

Table 22: Potential installed capacity for poultry litter

As the potential installed capacity is less than 10MWe, this resource would be insufficient to

support a dedicated poultry litter power plant.

Sewage Sludge

Tonnes Potential Installed Capacity (MWe) Heat Output (MWt)

5,837 0.45 0.67

Table 23: Potential installed capacity for sewage sludge

Annual Energy Output

To convert this installed capacities to an annual energy output, in MWh, we have used the

relevant capacity factor, as set out in Project Sheet J. The annual energy output, using the

same formula as for other energy categories, is 1.3478 x 0.602 x 8760 = 7107.6502 MWhe.

The same formula can be used to calculate the MWh for heat, using the MWt in the above

table (although the capacity factor may differ, in some instances).

The annual output for CHP is 1.8742 x 0.5 x 8760 = 8208.996 MWht.

Comparison with Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment 2011

Information on the potential available energy from anaerobic digestion as taken from the

2011 Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment is provided in the table below.

Energy Source

Potential

Installed

Capacity (MWe)

REBA 2011

Potential

Installed

Capacity (MWe)

REBA 2015

Heat Output (MWt)

REBA 2011

Heat Output (MWt)

REBA 2015

Animal Manure

0.05

0.0028

0.075

0.0042

Food Waste

1.26

0.8

1.88

1.2

Poultry Litter

0.00

0.095

n/a

Sewage Sludge

0.44

0.45

0.66

0.67

Total 1.75 1.3478 2.62 1.8742

Annual Energy

Output (MWh)

13,797 7,107.6502 11,454 8,208.996

Table 24: Comparison of the potential energy from AD in CCB

This indicates that there is a 48.5 % decrease from the level in 2011 in the amount of

electrical energy that can potentially be harnessed from anaerobic digestion as an energy

resource. In addition, there is a 28.3% decrease in the amount of heat energy that can

potentially be harnessed from anaerobic digestion within the county borough. The reasons

for this could be due to the new estimation of farms in the county borough that use a slurry

system and the use of updated capacity factors.

Project Sheet F – Hydropower Energy Resource

The potential for hydropower resources in Caerphilly is estimated from two sources. Firstly,

the Environment Agency Study 2010 which identifies potential run of river schemes across

the UK, and secondly, a feasibility study commissioned by the Council.

Existing hydro schemes within Caerphilly County Borough

To date only one micro hydro scheme has been given full planning consent to a private

developer of affordable housing departments at Abercarn. The scheme is 5kW and was

given planning permission on 28 July 2010; however it is yet to be constructed. In addition to

this, three other sites are at feasibility stage. These include a 10kW low head scheme at

Cwmcarn Forest Park, a 50kW low head scheme at Crumlin on the navigation colliery and

an 8.5kW scheme at Gelligroes Mill. The Cwmcarn scheme has had a feasibility study

completed and flow monitoring undertaken. The scheme at Crumlin has had a feasibility

study completed and the Gelligroes Mill scheme looked at the refurbishment of a mill

waterwheel scheme to be rated at 8.5kW. However, as there is little remaining of the intake

weir and the old leat is overgrown and mostly filled over, it is deemed unlikely that it will gain

EA approvals as it will not be financially attractive.

EA opportunity mapping

In 2010, the Environment Agency (EA) published a report assessing the hydropower

potential of watercourses in England and Wales. For Caerphilly County Borough there were

a total of 145 features identified (taking the form of waterfalls or weirs). These are termed as

“barriers” in the table below. The table also outlines the proportion of the overall potential

that is categorised as “win-win”. A “barrier” falls within this category if its power potential is

greater than 10 kW and the water body in question is designated as being heavily modified

under the Water Framework Directive. Heavily modified water bodies are required to achieve

good ecological potential. As a result, “win-win” sites are considered to be advantageous in

terms of energy potential whilst taking account of ecological factors.

No. of

barriers

Total power

potential (MW)

% classified as

high sensitivity

% classified

as “win-win”

Total classified as potential

“win-win” (MW)

145 3.1 92.19 49.2 1.52

Table 25: Hydropower Potential using EA data for Caerphilly

From this the annual energy output would be:

Using ‘Total power potential (MW)’

3.1 x 0.35 x 8760 = 9,504.6MWhe or;

Using ‘Total classified as potential “win-win” (MW)’

1.52 x 0.35 x 8760 = 4,660.32 MWhe

Hydropower Feasibility Study

Since the completion of the 2011 Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment, a Hydropower

Feasibility Study has been undertaken for Caerphilly County Borough Council, which was

completed in March 2012.

For the identification of low head sites the EA opportunities mapping study was used as a

starting point to identify sites. The 0-10kW category was discounted due to the poor

economic viability of low head sites at this scale and the remaining sites were then assessed

through a desk based search to initially identify weirs or barriers on the rivers where rapids

were present. It was common to find that the barriers identified in the EA study where either

not suitable for a hydro or non-existent either due to them having been removed or

inaccuracies in the model. This highlighted the limitations of the EA study and lack of

accuracy.

For medium to high head ‘run-of-river’ hydro opportunities GIS software was used to map

suitable catchment areas which are identified within the study area. This data along with

rainfall data for the area was used as a basis to compile a list of hydropower opportunities

within the study area and the hydropower potential. Again a number of these sites were

visited to gain a better understanding of the site, in particular access to construct a scheme

and grid constraints.

An overview of the low and high head schemes identified and visited as part of the study are

shown in Table 26 and Table 27 below.

Name

Catchment

(km

)

Head

(m)

Qrated

/s)

Overall

Efficiency

Power

(kW)

Energy

(kWh)

Chapel Farm Park Weir 115.1 0.98 3.94 70% 26 101,274

Pontywaun Weir 121.0 0.55 4.14 70% 16 59,803

Abercarn Ind Estate 95.0 0.9 3.25 70% 20 76,832

High Meadow Weir 92.0 2.16 3.15 70% 47 178,573

Crumlin Weir 82.5 2 2.82 70% 39 148,272

Wattsville Weir 76.1 0.55 2.12 70% 8 30,681

Ynysddu Weir 64.6 1.5 1.80 70% 19 71,032

Gibbs Weir 58.0 2.73 1.62 70% 30 116,069

2nd Council Offices Weir 55.0 0.6 1.54 70% 6 24,190

Woodfieldside Weir 51.5 1 1.44 70% 10 37,752

Penmaens Weir 50.5 1 1.41 70% 10 37,018

Rock Boulder Weirs 49.0 2 1.37 70% 19 71,838

Pant Glas Estate Weir 123.7 0.95 3.92 70% 26 97,779

TOTAL 274.9 kW

Table 26: Overview of low head schemes identified and visited

Sites surveys were completed for all of the low head weirs identified in the table above. The

majority of the schemes were deemed not suitable due to lack of head resource, no suitable

access and no grid connection point in close proximity. The Gibbs Weir located to the rear of

the Caerphilly Council offices offered the best opportunity for a micro hydro installation.

However, since the completion of the study Gibbs Weir has been removed to assist with

salmon migration.

Name

Catchment

(km

)

Head

(m)

Qrated

/s)

Overall

efficiency

Power

(kW)

Energy

(kWh)

Nant Llanbradach Stream 1.15 45 0.040 70% 12.4 47,365

Nant Twynyrharris Stream 1.3 15 0.045 70% 4.7 17,848

Princetown reservoir 6.5 15 0.247 70% 25.5 97,350

Rhymney Ind Estate 1 25 0.032 70% 5.4 20,801

Nant y Felin, Markam 1.6 80 0.051 70% 27.9 106,503

Nant Gwyddon (5kW hydro

with planning)

5.2 67 0.165 70% 75.8 289,888

Nant Fawr 4.2 15 0.133 70% 13.7 52,419

Nant y cor Fawr 0.9 20 0.029 70% 3.9 14,977

Nant y Ffrwd 0.75 28 0.024 70% 4.6 17,473

Nant y Twyn 0.9 15 0.029 70% 2.9 11,233

Cwncarn Forest Drive 5.162 10 0.174 70% 11.9 45,688

TOTAL 188.7 kW

Table 27: Overview of medium – high head schemes identified and visited

Of the sites visited the majority were ruled out for various reasons, mainly lack of access to

the site, proximity to a suitable grid connection point and lack of suitable location for

constructing an intake. In addition to this the Nant Gwyddon and Cwmcarn sites are already

in the process of being developed. The Princetown reservoir is a site owned by Welsh

Water. Welsh Water was contacted who advised that they have looked at the reservoir for

hydro potential but consider it to be uneconomical.

Results for both low head and medium-high head schemes showed that the majority of the

sites were deemed not viable for a hydro scheme due to local constraints. These were

mainly a lack of suitable head and flow resource, difficult access, lack of a grid connection in

close proximity, land ownership boundaries and no suitable place for the construction of an

intake or powerhouse. In addition the topography of the steep sided valleys in the Caerphilly

area lends itself to steep watercourses with small catchment area which tend to yield an

output too small for a commercially viable hydro development

Of all the sites assessed three were progressed to the preliminary feasibility phase:

Gibbs Weir: a low head scheme located to the rear of the Caerphilly Council offices

Nant y Twyn: a medium/high head scheme located on agricultural land near Ystrad Mynach

Nant Twynyrharris: a medium head scheme located on agricultural land near Ystrad Mynach

Due to Gibbs Weir being removed by NRW a summary of the system sizing and financial

analysis for the remaining two sites are shown in Table 28 below.

Nant y Twyn Option 1 Nant y Twyn Option 2 Nant Twynyrharris

Gross head 30 m 47 m 22 m

Rated Flow 42 l/s 42 l/s 40 l/s

Turbine type

Pelton or Turgo Pelton or Turgo Pelton or Turgo

Rated capacity 8.5 kW 13.5 kW 6 kW

Annual energy yield 33,500 kWh 53,200 kWh 23,650 kWh

Annual CO

savings 17.6 tonnes 27.9 tonnes 12.4 tonnes

Capital Costs £88,000 £124,000 £65,000

Total Operating Costs £1,250 £1,250 £1,250

Table 28: Summary of 3 schemes taken to preliminary feasibility

In view of the above, the total potential installed capacity for the two remaining schemes is

0.0195 MW (taking the higher rated capacity option for Nant y Twyn and Nant Twynyrharris).

Annual Energy Output

The annual energy output, using the same formula as for other energy categories, is

0.0195 x 0.35

x 8,760 = 59.787 MWhe.

Comparison with Renewable Energy Baseline Assessment 2011

The annual energy output has decreased since the 2011 REBA due to the further

investigations made by appointed consultants for the Hydropower Feasibility Study in 2012.

The majority of sites were deemed unviable for reasons stated above.

2011 10,048 MWhe

2015 59.787 MWhe

Taken from 2013 figure for small scale hydro:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/337684/chapter_6.pdf

Project Sheet H - Building Integrated Renewables (BIR)

The Toolkit provides a simplified method of estimating the level of BIR uptake in Caerphilly.

It is based on scaling the uptake results for Pembrokeshire, for renewable energy BIR for

heat and electricity, on a pro-rata basis depending on the level of existing and projected new

build development in Caerphilly County Borough compared to that assumed for

Pembrokeshire (see section E2.3 of the Toolkit for further details).

BIR are taken to cover the following technologies:

Solar photovoltaic panels

Solar hot water panels

Micro building-mounted and small free

Standing wind turbines

Micro scale biomass heating

Ground source heat pumps

Air source heat pumps

This simplified method will only provide a rough estimate of the level of uptake in the area

and the results are for indicative purposes only. For a more accurate assessment, an

external consultant will need to be commissioned to carry out modelling of Caerphilly County

Borough.The results are presented in the tables below.

Table 29: Predicted level of BIR renewable electricity uptake by 2020

Row

No.

Units

1 Existing dwellings and non-residential buildings

No. of existing dwellings in Pembrokeshire

55,592

No. of existing dwellings in Caerphilly

77,217

Calculate EDR (divide row 3 by row 2)

1.39

5 Predicted RE heat capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020 9.9 MWt

Predicted RE heat capacity for Caerphilly by 2020 (multiply row 5 by row 4)

13.8

MWt

Future dwellings

8 No. of average net annual completions assumed for Pembrokeshire 585

No. of average net annual completions planned for Caerphilly

351

Calculate NDR (divide row 9 by row 8)

0.6

Row

No. Units

1 Existing dwellings and non-residential buildings

2 No. of existing dwellings in Pembrokeshire

55,592

3 No. of existing dwellings in Caerphilly

77,217

4 Calculate EDR (divide row 3 by row 2)

1.39

5 Predicted RE electricity capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020 4.2 MWe

Predicted RE electricity capacity for Caerphilly by 2020 (multiply row 5 by row

5.8

MWe

7 Future dwellings

8 No. of average net annual completions assumed for Pembrokeshire 585

9 No. of average net annual completions planned for Caerphilly

351

10 Calculate NDR (divide row 9 by row 8)

0.60

11 Predicted RE electricity capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020

4.3 MWe

Predicted RE electricity capacity for Caerphilly by 2020 (multiply row 11 by row

10)

2.6

MWe

13 Future non-residential buildings

Future new non-residential average annual new floor area assumed for

Pembrokeshire by 2020

56,000 m

GIFA

Future new non-residential average annual new floor area estimated for your

LA by 2020

25,380

GIFA

16 Calculate FNR (divide row 15 by row 14)

0.5

17 Predicted RE electricity capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020

10.6 MWe

Predicted RE electricity capacity for Caerphilly by 2020 (multiply row 17 by row

16)

4.8

MWe

TOTALS

Total predicted new BIR RE electricity capacity for Caerphilly by 2020 (sum of

rows 6, 12, 18)

13.2

MWe

20 Existing BIR RE electricity capacity in CCBC area

6.11 MWe

Total predicted new and existing BIR RE electricity capacity for Caerphilly by

2020 (row 19 plus row 20)

19.3

MWe

Predicted RE heat capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020

4.3 MWt

Predicted RE heat capacity for Caerphilly by 2020 (multiply row 11 by row 10)

2.6

MWt

Future non-residential buildings

Future new non-residential average annual new floor area assumed for

Pembrokeshire by 2020

56,000 m2 GIFA

Future new non-residential average annual new floor area estimated for

Caerphilly by 2020

25,380

m2 GIFA

Calculate FNR (divide row 15 by row 14)

0.45

Predicted RE heat capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020

1.23 MWt

Predicted RE heat capacity for Caerphilly by 2020 (multiply row 17 by row 16)

0.6

MWt

TOTALS

Total predicted new BIR RE heat capacity for Caerphilly by 2020 (sum of rows

6, 12, 18)

16.9

MWt

Existing BIR RE heat capacity in CCBC area

1.94 MWt

Total predicted new and existing BIR RE electricity capacity for Caerphilly by

2020 (row 19 plus row 20)

18.8

MWt

Table 30: Predicted level of BIR renewable heat uptake by 2020

Project Sheet G – Heat opportunities mapping

This component of the REBA considers some of the issues associated with mapping

opportunities for the utilisation of renewable and low carbon heat. The analysis of the extent

to which the utilisation of heat is viable, or likely to be viable, comprises a number of levels of

complexity ranging from:

 Heat opportunities mapping

 Developing an energy opportunities plan for DHNs

 Assessing the technical and financial viability of DHNs

The reason for the different levels of complexity relates to the timing of where each level of

analysis should be employed. For instance, heat opportunities mapping provides sufficient

levels of detail for sieving candidate sites whereas, to set specific CO

reduction targets for

an identified strategic site or to set a policy requiring a developer to connect to a DHN,

requires in addition to the heat opportunities map, more detailed economic and technical

appraisal.

The issues, research and questions associated with this element of the evidence base are

as follows:

Background

 Why is it important to understand the nature of existing and future energy demand

and infrastructure?

Identifying the location of strategic new development sites

 Where are the proposed strategic development sites in Caerphilly County Borough?

Identifying anchor heat loads (AHLs)

 What and where are the key anchor ‘heat’ loads in Caerphilly County Borough?

Identifying off gas areas (OGAs)

 Where are the areas not served by the gas mains network in the Caerphilly County

Borough?

Mapping residential heat demand and density

 What is the residential heat demand and density for Caerphilly County Borough?

Identifying areas of high fuel poverty

 Where are the areas of fuel poverty in Caerphilly County Borough?

Identifying existing DH & CHP schemes and sources of waste heat

 Where are the existing district heating and combines heat and power schemes and

sources of waste heat in Caerphilly County Borough?

Developing an Energy Opportunities Plan for DHNs

 What is the nature of new development on proposed strategic sites in Caerphilly

County Borough?

 What is the energy opportunities plan for an area / site in Caerphilly County

Borough?

Background

There are a number of reasons for identifying and understanding the nature of existing and

future energy demand and infrastructure:

 Identification of public sector buildings to act as anchor ‘heat’ loads (AHLs)

 To know the energy densities of particular areas. New CHP/District Heating

technology installations are more likely to be economically viable in areas of high

energy demand but can be more complex to install. This data assists with the

identification of sites with significant potential.

 The proportions of the relative demand for electricity and heat are also useful

indicators as to what type of LZC technology might be appropriate in a particular

area.

 Areas of high density energy demand may not always present the greatest

opportunities. Energy density data needs to be combined with other data, such as the

nature of energy demand, the composition of building types and uses, the accessible

renewable energy resource, land and building ownership, existing infrastructure and

any proposed development in order to isolate the greatest opportunity: These

opportunities should also be reviewed against community priorities to align delivery to

local requirements.

 Energy demand can be estimated from the types of proposed buildings, the quantity

of development and the energy efficiency level. Energy efficiency can reduce the

energy consumption, so it is important to estimate the future requirements in this

regard.

 The locations of new development will be needed for assessments of strategic

opportunities.

Identifying the location of strategic new development sites

This element of the evidence base involved establishing the location of ‘strategic sites’. In

the Replacement LDP, there are two sites that qualify under the definition of strategic by

Local Authority definition.

These sites generally contain a mix of residential, employment and commercial uses and are

therefore considered to offer the best starting point for consideration of District Heat

Networks.

The following strategic sites have been identified within the Replacement LDP. These sites

have been chosen as they are the largest development sites, that will bring about 600+

additional dwellings into the County Borough. These sites are:

 Maesycwmmer Strategic Site

 Caerphilly Urban Extension.

 Ty Du Nelson extension.

Comprehensive GIS maps illustrating heat opportunities for each of the above strategic sites

are given at the end of this chapter.

Maesycwmmer Strategic Site

Maesycwmmer is a 226.25ha strategic development site south of Blackwood and west of

Ystrad Mynach which has been reserved primarily for residential homes, a new road, a

neighbourhood centre consisting of retail space and a primary school.

Caerphilly Urban Extension Strategic Site

This is a potential two site area of development that could include 500 homes plus 1ha of

employment land, and 2ha leisure for Ness Tar and 600 homes at Gwern Y Domen with

associated leisure and Mornington Meadows approximately 20ha of employment land. In

addition, it will deliver the first phase of the Caerphilly South East By-pass.

Ty Du Nelson Extension

This site is 29.7Ha in size, to the south of the settlement of Nelson. The site is proposed for

a mixed-use development comprising a housing development of 600 dwellings and 3.8 Ha of

employment land together with a proposed “car parking and share” scheme.

Identifying anchor “heat” loads (AHLs)

‘Anchor heat loads’ or ‘point loads’ (PLs) pertain to existing buildings with an energy demand

that could provide economically viable and practical opportunities for utilizing heat. It is

known as an ‘anchor’ load because further opportunities (e.g. from nearby buildings) may

arise for connecting nearby buildings to the original anchor load.

According to DECC

, the total heatload within Caerphilly County Borough can be split into

the following categories shown in table 31.

Sector Name Share Total KW

Communications and transport 0.05% 325 KW

Commercial Offices 0.6% 3,669 KW

Domestic 84.56% 515,381 KW

Education 1.28% 7,827 KW

Government Buildings 2.23% 13,621 KW

Hotels 1.13% 6,898 KW

Health 0.25% 1,525 KW

Other 0.88% 5,365 KW

Small Industrial 5.36% 32,677 KW

Prisons 0% 16 KW

Retail 1.54% 9,357 KW

Sports and Leisure 0.63% 3,855 KW

Warehouses 1.48% 8,997 KW

Total Heat Load in Caerphilly County Borough 609,513 KW

Table 31: Heatload Categories identified in DECC.

A ‘point load’ refers to a non-residential energy demand that can act as a base for a District

Heating (DH) scheme. Buildings that are located near to a point load (such as social

housing, etc.) and which may benefit from and contribute to the viability of DH schemes are

known as a ‘cluster’. A ‘cluster’ usually refers to a mix of social housing and non-residential

buildings which, together, represent opportunities due to their:

 Complementary energy demand profile

 Planned development programme

 Commitment to reduce CO

emissions

The identification of PLs and clusters requires the mapping of:

 Buildings owned by organisations with corporate climate change mitigation policies

and an active commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, and;

http://chptools.decc.gov.uk/developmentmap/

 Planned new development / refurbishment by the ‘anchor heat load’ organisation.

New development is likely to be the catalyst for such change. CHP / DH schemes are

most cost-effective when installed as part of a new development rather than retro-

fitting.

 Social housing. Caerphilly County Borough Council and housing associations own

and manage social rented housing throughout the county borough. Due to the Welsh

Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) these organisations are tasked to improve their

housing stock to an acceptable level by 2020. This includes making sure homes are

adequately heated, fuel efficient and well insulated. The inclusion of such

developments in DH/CHP schemes often enhance the energy profile to provide

further evening, weekend and night time energy demands.

AHLs can help a CHP/DH schemes to become a realistic prospect and there are usually

particular conditions that need to be in place, such as planned new development and / or a

commercial building / group of buildings with a significant demand for heat and / or with an

energy profile suitable for the installation of a CHP unit.

Given the responsibilities placed upon LA’s and the public sector in general for driving the

climate change mitigation agenda, AHL’s are often provided by buildings such as council

administration centres, leisure buildings (particularly those with swimming pools) and

hospitals; although shopping arcades and precincts have also been utilised in this way.

When it is proposed that private commercial buildings provide an ‘AHL’ the issue of

‘ownership’ is not as significant as when residential units are proposed for this role. The

reason for this is that it is often impractical for developers to have to negotiate with many

individual private householders whereas social landlords can more readily act on behalf of

their tenants. The DECC website also indicates that there are no large AHL point sources

found within Caerphilly County Borough.

Table 32 below indicates key AHL associated with large strategic sites identified in the

Replacement LDP, and the opportunities presented with their development.5

Site Opportunities Assumed Connection

Amount of Development

Assumed Connection

Heat Load (kWh/yr)

Maesycwmmer

New build housing 2,400 dwellings 21,253.54

New build employment -

Existing housing

(including social housing)

943 dwellings 9,020,738

Anchor Loads Potential Additional Primary School

Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr

Maesycwnmmer Community Centre

Maesycwmmer Primary

112,000

14,346,955

39,875

60,144

Social housing The Crescent/Hill view housing estate

Caerphilly SE Urban Extension

New build housing 1,400 dwellings 13,778,340

New build employment 3.3 Ha (totalling 8250sqm)*

1,575,750

Existing housing

(including social housing)

8959 dwellings (in Morgan Jones, St Martins

& St James ward)

85,701,794

Anchor loads St James Primary School

Van Community Centre

St Helen’s Catholic Primary

223,104

35,795

122,752

Site Opportunities Assumed Connection

Amount of Development

Assumed Connection

Heat Load (kWh/yr)

Social housing Lansbury Park

Nelson

New build housing 600 Dwellings 5,876,000

New build employment 3.8 Ha (totalling 9500sqm)* 1,814,500

Existing housing

(including social housing)

1978 dwellings 18,921,548

Anchor loads -

Social housing

Table 32: Individual site opportunities

* Plot sizes calculated using DCLG ratio’s of 0.25 per 1 Ha.

Identifying off gas areas

Off site areas refer to those areas not served by the mains gas network with the result being

that many residents and, less often, businesses often utilise less economic and more

polluting fuels for heat and Domestic Hot Water (DHW). In the case of dwellings, this can be

a contributing factor to fuel poverty. There are several important reasons for identifying these

areas, namely;

- The use of fuels other than the natural gas for heat and DWH often incur additional

cost to the user. Whereas the economic case (at the time of writing) for the

installation of renewable heat energy technologies may not be particularly attractive

in relation to natural gas, these increased costs enable the development of a solid

business case for the installation of building integrated LZC technologies.

- The reason DH schemes are not developed in rural locations is often the same as

the reason why the gas network has not been extended – financial viability. It is the

case, however that rural housing can contribute to providing a useful energy demand

profile to counterbalance the energy demands of commercial organisation [daytime

requirement only’ that may have installed CHP or plant large enough to supply DH

scheme.

- CHP /DH fired by alternative fuels such as waste or biomass are often located in

rural areas or on the urban fringe due to the same requirements necessitated by

storage and vehicle access. They also tend to be located on industrial estates which

offer opportunities to co-locate complementary businesses.

Information regarding the percentage of households that are not connected to the gas

network for Caerphilly County Borough have been obtained from the DECC Statistics

department, and is collated according to Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) information.

Mapping residential heat demand and density

A report for DECC suggests that DHNs are not feasible unless a heat demand is present or

at least 3MW/km. ‘Density’ of heat demand refers to kilowatt hour ([kWh]/square kilometre

[km2] of heat energy consumed in dwellings.

Information relating to heat densities can be used to inform:

- The identification of AHLs by providing, or adding to, a viable opportunity for the

introduction of renewable heat

- A mix of buildings and energy uses which, together, represent a potential

complementary energy demand profile (e.g. dwellings providing evening, weekend

and night time energy demands as opposed to the normal weekday energy demands

of commercial organisations).

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/lsoa-estimates-of-households-not-connected-to-the-gas-

network

- The identification of opportunities relating to social housing providers who are often

tasked with achieving greater than the minimum environmental performance

standards.

When allocating quantities of energy to dwellings or other types of buildings, it is useful to

check whether annual energy consumptions are above or below national average. Above

national average consumption may indicate lack of energy saving education or a higher

proportion of poorly insulated buildings, etc.

When allocating energy consumptions to buildings utilising Valuation Office Agency (VOA) or

Technical Memorandum (TM) 46 conversions used are average figures for particular

buildings assuming particular fuels are employed (e.g. natural gas is used for heating).

Outputs from this REA achieve greater accuracy and add considerable value to functionality

due to the age and type of buildings, particularly dwellings, being identified.

The importance of identifying residential heat demand and densities pertain to:

- The potential demand for heat in any one particular area

- Contributing to the identification of AHLs

- Feeding into the analysis of potential LZC solutions.

The results of analysis of space heating and domestic hot water demand by dwelling type in

Caerphilly County Borough Council local authority area are shown in the table below:

House Type

Solid Wall

kW/y

Cavity Wall

(No Insulation)

kW/y

Cavity Wall

(Filled) kW/y

Post 2002

kW/y

Detached

30,466 26,464 19,516 13,037

Semi-detached

20,132 19,654 13,416 9,566

Terrace

12,656 9,004 7,743 3,988

Flat

11,267 11,006 8,183 7,692

Table 33: space heating and domestic demand by dwelling type in Caerphilly County Borough.

Identifying areas of high fuel poverty

Fuel poverty is a key concern of national governments and LA’s alike. LA’s, including

CCBC’s, produce reports relating to the number of people or households regarded as ‘fuel

poor’. Often, it is those living in rural parts of the UK who suffer disproportionately from fuel

poverty and this is attributable to a number of factors. For example, typically, wages are

lower than for those employed in more rural areas; there is often a higher proportion of

unemployed and fewer job opportunities, etc. A greater proportion of households are not

connected to mains services and pay higher prices for fuels such as Liquefied Petroleum

Gas (LPG) and heating old. The combination of factors means that energy bills can

constitute a greater proportion of the household costs than for many urban households.

A contributory factor of fuel poverty can also be the lack of energy infrastructure in rural

locations. Often gas networks have not been connected in very rural areas due to high

capital costs in relation to revenue generated. This means that residents of rural locations

are forced to seek alternatives to natural gas such as LPG, heating oil or some form of solid

fuel. The upside is that where installation of a renewable energy technology is considered in

This data has been modelled using the BRE Standard House Set data as contained in Annex 2 of

Renewable Heat Incentive: Consultation of the proposed RHI financial support scheme as well as the

Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy – a Toolkit for Planners.

such locations, the economic payback and the potential CO2 reductions are proportionately

better than when considered against natural gas.

The inclusion of an analysis of fuel poverty in this REA will hopefully add value by assisting

CCBC in targeting of resources to address fuel poverty and this REA might be integrated

with other tools to assessing potentially effective ways of addressing the issue.

Map 6: Estimated fuel Poverty in the County Borough

Identifying existing DH and CHP schemes and sources of waste heat.

It is important to establish existing energy infrastructure as it may provide opportunities for

expanded connectivity or increased efficiency / viability. Identification of current utilisation of

renewable energy resources is covered by this Renewable Energy Assessment, including

the current proportion of potential area wide targets being met.

The identification of existing CHP has been achieved through analysis of the Ofgem

(Renewable Obligation Certificates) register and through discussion with relevant CCBC

officers (energy & planning). The extensive nature of District Heating schemes, and

industries which generate large amounts of waste heat, meant that LPA officers held the

details of the installations in the local authority area.

Name Energy Technology Fuel Source Capacity (MW)

Trecatti Electricity generator Landfill Gas 7.0

Tesco - Risca CHP Unknown 0.124

Risca Comprehensive

School & Leisure Centre

CHP Unknown 0.205

Greenhill Primary School CHP Unknown Unknown

St James Primary School CHP Unknown Unknown

Total - - 7.329

Table 34: Existing CHP or Sources of Waste Heat for Caerphilly County Borough

The utilisation of current sources of waste heat can provide opportunities to improve fuel

efficiency and secure CO

emission reductions. Extending existing infrastructure to

additional users can increase the viability of a particular scheme.

Developing an Energy Opportunities Plan for DHNs

The bringing together of the various data layers of heat opportunities described above,

together with the location of PCC strategic sites for new development, creates an ‘Energy

Opportunities Plan’.

A District Heating Network [DHN] is the term given to a system providing multiple individual

buildings with heat generated from a single source. The source is generally a building

known as an energy centre in which heat can either be generated from traditional fossil fuels

(from a boiler) or from a low carbon source such as biomass.

The practical realisation is a centrally located energy centre building transmitting heat (as hot

water) along buried pipes to a number of buildings in the local area. The pipes are known as

heat mains. The scale can be anywhere from a few blocks of flats to a significant proportion

of a city. A heat exchanger in each building is controlled and operated in the same way as

the gas boiler it replaces, and buildings can retain a conventional distribution system, such

as radiators.

Heat is sold to consumers in the same way that gas or electricity is sold traditionally, i.e. by

metering of end use and regular billing. This is combined with a service charge to cover

maintenance of the shared distribution system. Combined heat and power [CHP] is simply

where the energy centre produces heat as a by-product of electricity generation. The heat is

used to supply the DH network in the conventional way, whilst the electricity is either sold

locally or onto the wholesale electricity market. The heat from CHP units can also be used to

meet cooling demands via the use of absorption chillers. This can involve either a entralised

chiller, distributing “coolth” via a chilled water network, or decentralised absorption chillers in

individual buildings. This approach is sometimes referred to as “trigeneration” or CCHP

[Combined Cooling Heat and Power].

The method used to develop the ‘Energy Opportunities Plan’ is as detailed in Renewable

energy: A toolkit for planners’. Results of investigating key spatial opportunities for DHNs

at strategic sites are set out in maps 7 to 9.

Map 7

Map 8

Map 9

Should the sites be developed, the following graph indicates the space heating and domestic

hot water demand by dwelling type.

Graph 1: Heat demands from identified Strategic Sites.

Summary of heat opportunities

Using the above methodology the following heat opportunities have been identified for each

strategic site.

 Maesycwmmer (DHN opportunity)

 Caerphilly Urban Extension (DHN opportunity)

 Nelson

Maesycwmmer (DHN)

Key Opportunities

 Potential AHL around St James’ Road and Maesycwmmer Primary School.

 Opportunities to link in the close proximity of the site to Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

 Opportunity to design in DHN with the proposed new residential development.

The Maecywmmer site is predominantly residential dwellings, which could use community

heating to meet heating and possibly cooling demands. The high heat demand area (LSOA

Caerphilly 012D) around St James’ Road is within close proximity to the strategic site. In

addition, Maesycwmmer primary school and the proposed additional education facility could

present a reasonable heat load with council control over heating requirement. There are also

areas to the far west and east of the site that are not currently connected to the gas network

which could potentially benefit from a DHS. .

Caerphilly Urban Extension (DHN)

Key Opportunities

 Some potentially off gas areas along Rudry

 Site has the potential to bring forward employment and residential units, both of

which could act as AHLs.

 LSOA Caerphilly 022E (St James 3) to the west of the Gwern y Domen site is ranked

the most deprived LSOAs in Wales. This area is also an area of high heat demand.

The Caerphilly Urban Extension is predominantly residential dwellings, with employment and

leisure facilities incorporated. The high heat demand coupled with the high areas of fuel

poverty in St James Ward and the deprivation in Lansbury Park means that a DHN could

benefit the community in the area. There are also areas around the east of the site that are

not currently connected to the gas network. In addition, the two schools and community

centre could present a reasonable heat load with council control over heating requirement.

Nelson (DHN)

Key Opportunities

 Potential AHL around Heol Islwyn and Llwyncwlyn housing estate where there is a

high heat demand.

Nelson is the smallest strategic site, which is located south of the A472 in Nelson, and will

be predominantly a residential site with some employment land. There are few opportunities

to link current heat loads into the system, however the size and scale of the proposed

development means that DHS should be investigated further.

Project Sheet K: Assessing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Farm Resource

Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells/panels generate renewable electricity from the direct

conversion of solar irradiation. It is recognised as one of the key technologies in helping

to meet the UK target of 15% renewable energy from final consumption by 2020. In

2012, 84% of all new renewable installations across Wales were solar PV; this figure is

expected to increase due to high level interest in larger stand-alone installations.

DECC defines a “stand-alone” installation as a “solar photovoltaic electricity generating

facility that is not wired through a building, or if it is wired through a building, the building

does not have the ability to use 10% or more if its electricity generating on site”, typically

greater than 5MW.

As a relatively new phenomena, there is currently no standard agreed approach to

constraints mapping for Solar PV Farms. This section therefore provides a potential

approach on how to undertake a high level assessment of the potential solar resource

from ‘stand-alone’ PV farms in your local authority area.

Constraints mapping facilitates a visual representation of ‘usable’ land resource for

large-scale ‘stand-alone’ PV developments. This remaining area can then be assessed

to establish the potential installed capacity and electricity generation potential.

 It is worth noting, detailed assessment of a particular site may reveal proposed

PV farm impacts to be manageable and to meet regulatory and policy

requirements

 Conversely, land indicated as suitable through GIS mapping may prove to be

technically and/or financially unviable

It is not appropriate to consider all site level issues as part of this high level assessment

of potential resource. Other more detailed steps may be best assessed at the planning

application stage for an individual site. Such activities might include:

 landscape sensitivity analysis (which has been conducted by Gillespies LLP and

is to be adopted as SPG in January 2016

)

 distance to the nearest appropriate electricity grid connection, if electricity is to be

exported

 proximity to public rights of way, bridle ways.

Mapping the constraints for Solar PV farms.

In line with guidance contained in the Toolkit, the following constraints were mapped.

 Built up areas and existing infrastructure (e.g. roads, rails and urban areas);

 Location of woodland areas, rivers and lakes;

 Natural environmental and heritage constraints including;

o Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), National Nature Reserves (NNR);

Local Nature Reserves (LNR), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI);

Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs).

 Suitable slope and topography (at a 3 -15º that is not south-west to south east

facing, and anything above 15 º slope).

Supplementary Planning Guidance on ‘Smaller Scale Wind Turbine Developments: Landscape

Sensitivity and capacity study’ and ‘Planning Guidance for Smaller Scale Wind Turbine Development:

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Requirements’.

 Sites of 2.4 Ha (or 6 acres) or larger are required for any scheme to be financially

viable.

The toolkit infers that cumulative impact needs to be addressed. However, given that this

will include a composite landscape and sensitivity assessment for solar farms, this issue

will be dealt with by a Supplementary Planning Guidance document. This is to ensure

that the potential cumulative impacts on the landscape are continually monitored and are

addressed on a case by case basis.

A tabulated output of the five largest sites identified within the assessment can be seen

below, whilst the results of the mapping exercise can be seen in maps 10 and 11.

Please note that in this instance without consulting with the Welsh Government only land

of ALC Grade 5 (i.e. poorest quality) has been assumed suitable.

Potential solar PV

farm

Area (acres)

Potential Capacity

(MW)

Potential yearly

capacity (MWh)

1 618 103 90,219

2 390 65 56,963

3 603 100 87,968

4 385 64 56,210

5 221 37 32,267

TOTAL 2217 369 323,628

Table 35 Accessible solar PV resource output for Caerphilly County Borough.

Map 10 Map 11

However, table 36 provides an unrealistic assumption for solar farm potential across the

County Borough. Sheet K does not require local indicators or factors to be taken into

account, such as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), Special

Landscape Areas (SLAs) or Visually Important Local Landscape (VILLs). In addition, the

potential winning and workings of Nant Llesg open cast mine means that this area has

also been removed from the following table.

Potential solar PV

farm

Area (acres)

Potential Capacity

(MW)

Potential yearly

capacity (MWh)

1 618 103 90,219

2 221 37 32,266

3 149 25 21,754

4 124 21 18,104

5 97 16 14,162

TOTAL

1209 201 176,505

Table 36: Solar potential taking into account CCBC Constraints.

Conclusion

The work undertaken for this REBA indicates that, on current data, the potential exists to

generate just over 240,000 MWhe of electrical energy within the county borough, as well as

just over 97,500 MWht in terms of heat energy from wind, wood fuel and energy crops,

waste, anaerobic digestion and hydro. If the predicted BIR renewable energy electricity and

heat capacity is added together, for Caerphilly by 2020 to these figures it would result in a

potential generation of just over 91,000 MWhe and 75,000 MWht (for CHP) and 115,400

MWht (heat only).

Clearly, this position will be subject to change. The 2020 forecast may, and probably will,

alter over time, depending on a number of factors such as technological advances regarding

energy production and increased levels of efficiency in terms of its consumption. Likewise,

this will also impact upon the potential output that can be realised through renewable

sources.

It should also be borne in mind that the REBA undertaken here only takes account of certain

categories of renewable energy. Areas such as offshore wind power, which are regarded as

nationally important infrastructural projects and therefore fall outside the remit of local

authorities, have not been covered but will play a vital role in terms of the potential of

renewable sources across Wales as a whole.

Nevertheless, the work undertaken here provides a useful update to the Renewable Energy

Baseline, and suggests that there is an even greater scope for the Council to make best use

of its resources in line with those areas of policy formulation and service delivery for which it

is responsible.

Resource Summary Tables

Energy

Type

Potential Resource Current installed capacity

Total (Potential &

Current)

MWe MWh/yr MWe MWh/yr MWe MWh/yr

Electricity

total

230.2373 241,567 59.932 98,661 290.17 340,228

Local authority projected electricity demand in 2020 630,400

Percentage electricity demand in 2020 potentially met by renewable energy resource 47%

Table 37: Resource summary for potential renewable electricity in Caerphilly County Borough

Energy

Type

Potential Resource Current installed capacity

Total (Potential &

Current)

MWt MWh/yr MWt MWh/yr MWt MWh/yr

Heat total

27.5542 or

26.3642

61,238 (with

biomass CHP)

or 106,846 (with

biomass heat

only)

4.91 8,613

32.4707 or

41.28071

75,852 or

115,460

Local authority projected heat demand in 2020 1,407,900

Percentage heat demand in 2020 potentially met by renewable energy resource 5.4% or

8.2%

Table 38: Resource summary for potential renewable heat in Caerphilly County Borough

Graph 2: Potential and existing renewable electricity for Caerphilly County Borough

Graph 3: Potential and existing renewable heat for Caerphilly County Borough

Appendix 1: Planning Applications relating to Renewable Energy technologies.

Date

received

Planning

Application

Address Application details Decision

Decision

date

Energy

capacity

Wind

19/12/2005 P/05/1706 Land At Dismantled Railway Adjacent Gelligaer

Common Fochriw Bargoed

Provide a clean source of electricity, erect two wind turbine

generators, an anemometer mast, sub-station and ancillary

works

Granted 16/08/2006

10/03/2008 08/0292/FULL Ty Siriol, Mynyddislwyn, Blackwood, NP12 2BG Erect wind generators for power supply to house and

swimming pool

Granted 09/02/2009

26/01/2009 09/0043/FULL Pen Yr Heol Las Farm Heol Las Energlyn Caerphilly Erect 5kW wind turbine with tower height of 12 metres Granted

(permission

now expired)

22/04/2009 5kW

1807/2011 11/0552/FULL Plateau 1 Oakdale Business Park, Lon Gellideg,

Oakdale Business Park, Oakdale

Erect 25 year operation of a wind energy development

comprising two wind turbines with a maximum overall height

(to vertical blade tip) of 130 metres, crane pads, control

building, underground electrical cables, on-site access

tracks to Lon Gellideg and Manmoel Road including

formation of new vehicular access to Manmoel Road, two

attenuation ponds and temporary works including a

construction storage compound

Granted 06/10/2011 10.9 GWh

25/07/2011 11/0575/FULL Pen Yr Heol Las Farm Heol Las Energlyn Caerphilly

CF83 2TT

Replace planning permission 09/0043/FULL for a 5 kwh

wind turbine with an application for a 500 kwh turbine (the

existing planning permission is for a turbine with a 12m

tower, this application is for a turbine with a 50m tower)

Withdrawn n/a 500KW

06/02/2012 12/0092/RET Penbeili Cottage Tydu Road Nelson Treharris CF46

6PH

Retain four wind turbines Refused 21/09/2012 700W

06/02/2012 12/0122/NCC Land At Dismantled Railway Adjacent To Gelligaer

Common Fochriw Bargoed

Vary Condition (1) of planning permission P/05/1706 to

extend timescale by six months for pre-commencement

conditions to be discharged in order to provide a clean

source of electricity, erect two wind turbine generators, an

anemometer AST, sub-station and ancillary works

Withdrawn n/a n/a

14/02/2012 12/0122/NCC Land At Dismantled Railway, Adjacent To Gelligaer

Common, Fochriw, Bargoed

Vary Condition (1) of planning permission P/05/1706 to

extend timescale by six months for pre-commencement

conditions to be discharged in order to provide a clean

source of electricity, erect two wind turbine generators, an

anemometer AST, sub-station and ancillary works

Withdrawn n/a n/a

19/10/2012 12/0753/FULL Pen-y-fan Ganol Farm Manmoel Blackwood NP12 0HZ Provide a single wind turbine (500kW) 50M hub height,

73.5m maximum tip of blade height) with associated

electrical infrastructure and crane hard standing

Granted 04/10/2013 500KW

06/12/2012 12/0875/FULL Land At Pen Yr Heol Las Farm

Heol Las, Energlyn, Caerphilly, CF83 2TT

Install one WTN 500kw wind turbine with an overall tip

height of 64m and associated temporary infrastructure

Appeal for non-

determination –

Appeal

12/03/2014 500KW

Date

received

Planning

Application

Address Application details Decision

Decision

date

Energy

capacity

Dismissed

08/01/2013 13/0016/FULL Land North East Of Pen-y-fan Farm,

Pen-Y-Fan Farm Lane, Manmoel, Blackwood

Erect a single wind turbine with a maximum blade tip height

of up to 61 metres and associated infrastructure including

creating new access track (approx. 750m in length), a crane

pad (measuring approximately 20m by 22m) and an

equipment housing cabinet

Withdrawn n/a 330KW

21/01/2013 13/0053/FULL Cwmcaesingrug Farm, Mynyddislwyn Mountain Road

Mynyddislwyn, Blackwood

Erect two wind turbines Refused 11/07/2013 225KW

28/06/2013 13/0483/FULL Pen Bryn Oer Merthyr Road Rhymney Install three wind turbines and construct associated

infrastructure on land used for grazing, the maximum height

to blade tip of each turbine will be 110m above existing

ground level and infrastructure associated with the wind

turbines including on-site access tracks, lay-bys and turning

areas, with ditch culverts where required, permanent crane

hard standing areas and external switchgear buildings for

each turbine, a substation, underground on-site electrical

cabling and the creation of a temporary construction

compound and laydown area

Refused 10/04/2014 4.5MW

01/07/2013 13/0488/FULL Gelli-wen Farm, Bedwellty Road, Markham, Blackwood

NP12 0PP

Erect a single wind turbine, with a maximum blade to height

of 77 metres, along with accompanying access track, crane

hard standing, substation, associated underground cabling

and temporary construction compound

Granted 28/11/2013 500KW

01/08/2013 13/0582/FULL Bryn Ysgawen Farm, Mountain Road Maesycwmmer To

Machen, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed

Erect single wind turbine, with a maximum blade tip height of

77m, along with accompanying access track, crane hard

standing, substation, associated underground cabling and

temporary construction compound

Granted 28/11/2013 500KW

18/10/2013 13/0762/FULL Land At Tir Ferch Gryno, Brithdir, New Tredegar Install a single small scale wind turbine (up to 35m blade tip

height) and associated infrastructure

Withdrawn n/a

25/11/2013 13/0824/FULL Land At Pen-y-fan Industrial Estate, Pen-y-fan, Newport

NP11 3XG

Erect a single 500kW wind turbine, access track and

associated transformer enclosure

Pending

consideration

500KW

30/09/2014 14/0622/FULL Pen Yr Heol Las Farm, Heol Las, Energlyn, Caerphilly Install 2 no 500kw wind turbines with overall tip height of

64m including temporary infrastructure

Application

refused –

Appeal in

progress

1MW

14/0704/FULL Bedlwyn Farm, Cefn-Rhychdir Road, Phillipstown, New

Tredegar

Erect a single wind turbine of max 86.5m to tip, along with

associated infrastructure including an

access track and electrical housing

Granted 11/03/2015 500kW

03/02/2015 15/0029/FULL Cefn-y-brithdir Farm Mountain Road Cefn-Y-Brithdir To

Tirphil Brithdir New

Tredegar NP24 6JZ

Erect (and operate) a single wind turbine up to 36.6m tip

height with electrical control

Pending

consideration

85kW

Date

received

Planning

Application

Address Application details Decision

Decision

date

Energy

capacity

24/02/2015 15/0097/FULL Land At Cefn Bach Farm Cefn Road Upper Deri

Bargoed CF81 9GW

Erect a single wind turbine with a maximum blade tip height

of up to 78 metres and associated infrastructure including

the installation of a new access track and upgraded access

track; a crane pad (measuring approximately 25m by 40m)

and a substation

Pending

consideration

Solar

12/05/2005 P/05/0683 107 Greenfield Street, New Tredegar, NP24 6LH Demolish garage and re-build, install solar power on roof Granted 20/07/2005

01/07/2009 09/0527/FULL Greenmeadow, Cefn Mably, Cardiff, CF3 6LP Erect stand alone solar photovoltaic (PV) electric

microgeneration unit

Granted 21/08/2009

21/02/2011 11/0134/FULL Twyn-Gwyn Farm, The Uplands, Newbridge NP11 4RW Create solar panel park Granted 14/04/2011

07/03/2011 11/0176/FULL Electronic Communications Installation, Ysgwydd Gwyn

Uchaf Farm, Bargoed, CF81 9JF

Install photovoltaic solar panel arrays, together with a

protective barrier and new stock proof fencing

Granted 16/05/2011

18/05/2011 11/0394/FULL United Welsh Housing Association, Y Borth, 13 Beddau

Way, Caerphilly

Fit solar photovoltaic panels to the south facing section of

the roof of the existing office

Granted 29/06/2011

07/09/2011 11/0692/FULL R B F Communication Limited, 25-26 Islwyn Workshops,

Pontymister Industrial Estate, Pontymister

Erect 120 photovoltaic panels on roof of existing industrial

building

Granted 25/10/2011

10/12/2013 13/0846/FULL Land At Hendai Farm,

Heol Adam, Gelligaer, Hengoed

Develop a solar photovoltaic farm with attendant equipment

and infrastructure

Granted 10/04/2014 13.8MW

03/03/2014 14/0118/FULL Brynteg, Pandy Lane, Llanbradach, Caerphilly Erect ground floor and first floor extension to provide a first

floor to the bungalow, change the use of 101 square metres

of pasture land to create a driveway, remove and replant 15

metres of hedgerow and install photovoltaic roof panels

Granted 11/09/2014

01/05/2014 14/0276/FULL Cwmcaesingrug Farm, Mynyddislwyn Mountain Road,

Mynyddislwyn, Blackwood, NP12 2BG

Provide photovoltaic solar park and ancillary infrastructure Granted 06/08/2014 10MW

05/11/2014 14/0455/FULL Darran Farm Argoed Blackwood Construct a ground-mounted solar PV generation project

and associated works

Pending

consideration

2.6MW

18/11/2014 14/0687/NCC Hendai Farm Heol Adam Gelligaer Hengoed CF82 8FU Vary condition 8 of planning consent 13/0846/FULL (Erect

solar photovoltaic farm with attendant equipment and

infrastructure) to optimise the land and improve the layout to

allow for a more efficient installation process

Granted 22/12/2014 N/A

07/10/2014 14/0652/NMA Cwmcaesingrug Farm Mynyddislwyn Mountain Road

Mynyddislwyn Blackwood

NP12 2BG

Provide minor amendments to the approved layout and

elevations approved under planning consent 14/0276/FULL

(Provide photovoltaic solar park and ancillary

infrastructure)

Granted 09/10/2014 N/A

03/02/2015 15/0031/FULL Gelliargwellt Uchaf Farm Gelligaer Road Gelligaer

Hengoed CF82 8FY

Install 250kWp roof mounted solar PV system to be sited on

4 existing commercial shed roofs

Pending

consideration

250kW

Hydropower

02/06/2010 10/0382/FULL Nant Gwyddon Stream At, Duffryn Court, Abercarn,

Newport

Install a micro hydro electric power turbine in the Nant

Gwyddon Stream to provide sustainable energy off-set to

Phase 2 development of Duffryn Court

Granted 28/07/2010 0.005MW

Landfill gas

Date

received

Planning

Application

Address Application details Decision

Decision

date

Energy

capacity

26/10/1984 5/5/84/0641 Coates Brothers, Waterloo Works, Machen, Caerphilly Erection of a single storey building for compressor housing -

inert gas generation.

Granted 13/12/1984

20/05/1997 P/97/0450 Trecatti Landfill Site, Pant-Y-Waun, Merthyr Tydfil Install and operate landfill gas utilisation system for the

generation of electricity

Granted 24/07/1997 7.04MW

16/05/1999 P/99/0406 Tipping Site & Premises, Trehir Quarry, Llanbradach,

Caerphilly

Install and operate an electricity generation project using an

engine/alternator set fuelled by landfill gas from Trehir

Landfill site

Granted 13/10/1999 1.26MW

21/02/2005 P/05/0250 Trecatti Landfill Site, Pant-Y-Waun, Merthyr Tydfil Extend existing gas compound Granted 22/04/2005

23/05/2006 P/06/0657 Trecatti Landfill Site, Pant-Y-Waun, Merthyr Tydfil Provide substation, switchroom, oil tanks, gas conditioning

equipment and lifting jib to the landfill gas compound

Granted 17/08/2006

06/08/2007 07/1027/FULL Trecatti Landfill Site, Pant-Y-Waun, Merthyr Tydfil Extend existing landfill gas compound (inc. 1 flare, 2

Generators, Gas Conditioning Unit and Site Office)

Granted 25/10/2007

05/12/2008 08/1318/FULL Trehir Landfill Site, Pandy Lane, Llanbradach, Caerphilly Install electricity generator plus ancillary equipment in a

fenced compound to recover and utilise landfill gas for the

generation of electricity

Granted 11/02/2009 1.26MW

29/05/2009 09/0442/FULL R F Brookes, Azalea Road, Rogerstone, Newport, NP10

9SA

Construct and operate an ancillary biogas energy recovery

facility

Granted 24/07/2009

29/05/2009 09/0444/FULL Trehir Landfill Site, Pandy Lane, Llanbradach, Caerphilly Install electricity generator plus ancillary equipment in a

fenced compound to recover and utilise landfill gas from the

Trehir Landfill for the generation of electricity

Granted 22/07/2009 1.26MW

24/03/2010 10/0213/FULL Trehir Landfill Site, Pandy Lane, Llanbradach, Caerphilly Install an electricity generator plus ancillary equipment in a

fenced compound to recover and utilise landfill gas from the

Trehir Landfill for the generation of electricity

Granted 24/03/2010 1.26MW

Anaerobic Digestion

23/03/2011 11/0224/FULL Gelligaer Road, Gelligaer, Hengoed, CF82 8FY Erect building and tanks to incorporate anaerobic digestion

facility with associated plant, engineering and landscaping

works

Appeal allowed 28/03/2013 1.4MW

Biomass

01/08/2012 12/0510/FULL Unit 6 Capital Valley Eco Park Rhymney Tredegar Operate a wood pellet production plant with associated

ancillary services (CHP plant) involving timber delivery,

handling and storage, wood processing, de-barking and

chipping, woodchip storage, pellet production, wet milling,

drying, dry milling, pelletising, pellet bagging (optional) and

pellet loading

Granted 05/12/2012

12/03/2013 13/0188/FULL Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, Ystrad Fawr Way, Ystrad Mynach,

Hengoed

Replace two existing silos (for the storage of biomass) in

same site location as existing

Granted 03/06/2013

Abbreviations

AAWS – Average annual wind speed

AGL – Above ground level

AHLs – Anchor Heat Loads

ASHP – Air source heat pump

BD - Biodegradable

BIR – Building integrated renewables

BRE – British Research Establishment

CCB – Caerphilly County Borough

CCBC – Caerphilly County Borough

Council

CCHP – Combined Cooling Heat and

Power

CF – Capacity Factor

CfD – Contracts for Difference

CFR – Central FiTs Register

CHP – Combined Heat and Power

– Carbon dioxide

CSCO – Carbon Savings Community

Obligation

DECC – Department of Energy and

Climate Change

DHW – Domestic Hot Water

DH – District Heat

DHN – District Heat Network

EA – Environment Agency

ECO – Energy Companies Obligation

EfW – Energy from waste

ESCO – Energy Services Company

FiT – Feed-in Tariff

FUW – Farmers’ Union of Wales

GIS – Geographic Information System

GSHP – Ground source heat pump

Ha – Hectare

kg - Kilogram

kW - Kilowatt

LDP – Local Development Plan

LNR – Local Nature Reserves

LSOA – Lower Super Output Area

LZC – Low and zero carbon

MCS – Microgeneration Certification

Scheme

MW – Megawatt

MWe – Megawatt electric

MWt – Megawatt thermal

MtCO

e – Million metric tons of carbon

dioxide equivalent

NATS – National Air Traffic Service

NRW – Natural Resources Wales

ODT – Oven dry tonnes

OGA – Off gas areas

PPW – Planning Policy Wales

PV – Photovoltaic

REBA – Renewable Energy Baseline

Assessment

RES – Renewable Energy Strategy

RHI – Renewable Heat Incentive

RHPP – Renewable Heat Premium

Payment

RO – Renewable Obligation

ROCs – Renewable Obligation Certificates

SAC – Special Areas of Conservation

SAM – Scheduled Ancient Monument

SSSI – Sites of Special Scientific Interest

TM – Technical Memorandum

UK – United Kingdom

WG – Welsh Government