Enso Energy unveils plans for Welsh solar-plus-storage site

Enso Energy is consulting on plans for a new solar-plus-storage site in the centre of the Welsh island of Anglesey.

The Alaw Môn Solar Farm is expected to have a 40 year operational life, and will supply up to 160MW of renewable electricity to the national grid.

The consultation on the proposed development – which is situated to the south of Llyn Alaw – is taking place for six weeks from today (24 June) to 4 August, with residents and local stakeholders invited to engage and discuss the proposals either virtually or face to face.

It comes as Wales aims to generate 70% of its electricity consumption from renewables by 2030, with Enso Energy’s managing director Andrew King stating that “now is the time for a rapid and expanded deployment of low carbon power, including solar to help tackle the climate emergency”.

Enso currently has a 1GW pipeline of solar and storage in development with Cero Generation, a new solar company launched by Macquarie’s Green Investment Group in February that consolidated its existing European solar activities.

This pipeline - unveiled in June 2020 - is to be spread across England and Wales, with the first of these sites - a 49.9MW bifacial asset in Gloucestershire - announced in August 2020.

Solar Power Portal caught up with King in April to discuss how the pipeline is progressing as well as the "core role" subsidy-free solar will play in future electricity supply.