A HUGE solar energy farm – the size of more than 150 football fields – has been proposed for St Asaph in response to the “fight against climate chaos”.

The project, set to be built on land to the North East of St Asaph, will cover a massive 117 hectares and will generate nearly 60 gigawatt hours of electricity per year – enough to power over 20,000 homes.

Global developers Solarcentury – which has projects in Europe, Latin America and Africa – are behind the plans.

The site, located on farm land to the North of the A55 North Wales Expressway, is surrounded by fields, private properties and farmsteads and the A525 main road.

A statement into proposals says: “The site has been carefully chosen for its potential to deliver solar-powered electricity to the grid.

“We are in the early stages of the project and are collating feedback on our plans. Longer term we hope to secure planning permission for, and build a solar energy farm of 117 hectares.”

Solarcentury intend to submit a formal planning application for Elwy Solar Energy Farm later this year.

This month two information sessions are being held, allowing the public to find out more about proposals.

Cllr Peter Scott, mayor of St Asaph, said: “It is taking one of the best fields we have got but it is a balancing act.

“It is going to look quite obtrusive, the size of it, but there is a need to do this – green energy, especially with the floods and the fight against climate change.”

Dr James Davies, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said: "This country has already made major strides towards decarbonising its electricity production, with more energy now produced through renewables than fossil fuels. Perhaps surprisingly, solar panels are already far more important than coal in electricity generation in the UK.

“Clearly, solar energy can play a greater role still in the Britain’s electricity generation and I am looking forward to attending an information session on the proposed St Asaph solar farm next week.

“Nevertheless, the plans would appear to be very extensive and I will be looking to find out more about the current use of the land earmarked, the visual impact of such a development and the thoughts of nearby residents.”

The information sessions will run from 4pm until 8pm on Wednesday, March 11 at Bodelwyddan Community Centre, Ronaldsway.

There will also be a session from 9am until 12pm on Thursday, March 12 at St. Asaph Cricket Club, Elwy Grove Park.

Plans can be viewed at www.solarcentury.com/elwy

It is understood the application, when submitted, will be classed as a development of national significance and will be determined by the Welsh Government. If approved, construction on the solar farm will start in 2022.

A statement into proposals added: "A multitude of surveys have or are being carried out, such as ecology, landscape and flood risk among others to confirm that the land would be suitable for solar energy farm use."

A Welsh Government Spokesperson said: “Planning applications for the construction of any new generating station between 10MW and 350MW must be made to Welsh Ministers through the Developments of National Significance process. 

"As a consequence, we are unable to comment on specific schemes.”

Solarcentury were approached.