PLANS to build a solar farm in Blaenau Gwent which could power around 9,000 homes and boost the Gwent economy have been revealed.

The proposals, which constitute a Development of National Significance (DNS), would develop on a 143-acre site, around 30 small to medium fields, currently in agricultural use at Wauntysswg Farm near Tredegar.

The site is said to be an “ideal location” for a solar farm due to its relatively low ecological and landscape value, south facing slope, proximity to grid connection and relative remoteness from larger residential areas.

Solar panels would generate around 30,000kW (30MW) of electricity per year, enough to provide electricity for around 9,000 homes.

The farm would also result in cutting the use of around 520,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of the 30-year project.

A design and access statement, prepared on behalf of Elgin Energy EsCo Ltd, says the proposal will “contribute directly towards UK and Welsh Government targets for the supply of energy from renewable sources.”

The project can be reversed after its 30-year span as the solar panels and other equipment can be removed with little impact on the site and the land can then revert to its previous use.

Benefits of the proposed scheme also include creating new jobs and increased revenue from the energy sector being spent in the local economy.

The building and maintenance of the site will result in creating new jobs, while also increasing spending in nearby shops during the construction phase.

The design and access statement adds: “The renewable industry employs around 40,000 people in Wales, more than the motor or financial services sectors, and is a key growth sector.

“However, this number represents just four per cent of the UK total while in the south west of England the sector employs double that proportion.”

Solar panels, dark blue or black in colour, will be arranged in a series of rows up to a height of three metres at the highest point and tilted southwards at an angle of 10-25 degrees from horizontal.

Panels are designed to absorb rather than reflect sunlight to result in limited nuisance or light pollution.

Designs have been developed to protect the existing flora and fauna and surrounding landscape, with a minimum five metre ecology buffer around existing vegetation, hedgerows and trees.

Construction is expected to take around four months.

The application will be dealt with by the planning inspectorate on behalf of Welsh Government as it is a DNS project.