Wrexham Local Development Plan 2013 - 2028 EBRE01

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Renewable Energy Assessment 2017

This leafl et is available in accessible formats Contents

Executive Summary

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of the Renewable Energy Assessment 1.2 Planning Policy 1.3 Scope of the Renewable Energy Assessment 1.4 Defining Renewable and Low Carbon Energy 1.5 Explanation of Energy Terms

2. Policy Context & Drivers for Renewable Energy

2.1 Introduction 2.2 European and UK policy context 2.3 Wales Policy Context for Planning and Renewable Energy 2.4 Other UK drivers for Renewable Energy

3. How to Use this Renewable Energy Assessment

3.1 Structure of the Area Wide Renewable Energy Assessment 3.2 Who has prepared this REA?

4. County Borough Wide Renewable Energy Assessment

4.1 Calculating Existing and Future Energy Baseline 4.2 Existing and Proposed Low/Zero Carbon Energy Technologies 4.3 Wind Resource 4.4 Wood fuel and Energy Crops Resource for Heat and Power Generation 4.5 Energy from Waste 4.6 Anaerobic Digestion 4.7 Hydropower Energy Resource 4.8 Heat Opportunities Mapping 4.9 Building Opportunities Mapping (Sheet H) 4.10 Solar Photovoltaic Farm Resource

5. Assessment Summary

6. Policy Implications

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Executive Summary

‘One Wales’ sets out the Welsh Assembly’s commitment to tackling climate change including achieving annual carbon reduction-equivalent emissions reductions of 3% per year in areas of devolved competence. The Assembly Government resolves that all will play the fullest part in reducing CO2 emissions and is committed to developing a comprehensive energy strategy and a renewable energy route map. In line with this national commitment the Welsh Government issued an ‘Energy Policy Statement for Wales’ (March 2010) which states the aim to renewably generate up to twice as much electricity annually by 2025 and by 2050 to meet almost all of our local energy needs, whether for heat, electrical power or vehicle transport, by low carbon electricity production.

Wrexham County Borough Council is currently preparing its Local Development Plan (LDP). Paragraph 12.8.2 of Planning Policy Wales Edition 9 (November 2016) requires all local planning authorities to produce Renewable Energy Assessments as part of the wider evidence base in support of strategic renewable energy development outside of Strategic Search Areas.

The REA identifies local search areas for solar resources that will need to be identified in the LDP proposals maps and supported by LDP policies. There are also opportunities for combined heat and power associated with large development sites that the LDP will need to support. Other technologies will need general positive support without identifying specific locations.

This county-wide Renewable Energy Assessment (REA) has been prepared to assess the potential of the Wrexham County Borough Council area to contribute to national greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. It varies from other local authorities dependent upon issues such as geography, land availability and also the priorities given by councils and communities to various policy objectives. This REA provides the results of a robust exercise to establish potential for renewable energy in the area that would support a selection of policy objectives: many of which could also be addressed through corporate action.

Whilst predominantly satisfying the need for providing part of robust evidence base, the REA might just as easily and effectively be utilised by public sector departments, possibly through the activities of the Public Service Boards (PSBs), and also relevant private sector organisations. Delivery will involve everyone but, significantly, professionals from a wide range of disciplines. Utilising this REA to its greatest effect will require greater or lesser input from politicians, senior managers, finance experts, consultants, planners, developers, project managers, energy managers / technicians, engineers and waste management officers to name but a few.

Delivering some of the potential identified in this REA is likely to require considerable cooperation between local authorities and other public sector bodies, and between public and private sector. The greatest challenge to this cooperation may arise in attempting to reduce the carbon emissions of existing building stock, potentially though linking to Heat Networks or larger scale renewable electricity generating technologies.

The public sector, tasked with a leadership role, should be pro-active in identifying cost effective approaches to contributing to meeting targets and facilitating the success of others. Wrexham County Borough Council, through this REA, is fulfilling this role in identifying some of these potential opportunities within its area.

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Wrexham County Borough Council: Renewable Energy Assessment

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background and purpose of this Renewable Energy Assessment (REA)

This Renewable Energy Assessment (REA) was developed using Welsh Government practice guidance “Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy: A Toolkit for Planners”, the findings of this assessment stemming directly from the application of the methods outlined in the toolkit.

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% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. The Climate Change Act 2008 introduces a legally binding target of at least a 34% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, and at least an 80% cut by 2050, against a 1990 baseline.

Welsh Government has made a commitment to tackling climate change, resolving that all will play the fullest possible part in meeting statutory UK and EU targets on greenhouse gas emission reduction.

In terms of the land use planning system, Welsh Government has shown strong leadership by producing policy guidance within Planning Policy Wales Edition 9 November 2016 (PPW)1 and the associated Technical Advice Note 8 (TAN8): Planning for Renewable Energy.2

Local Authorities have several key roles to play that can facilitate the use and generation of renewable and low carbon energy. These include:

1. Preparing planning policies and allocating land in their Local Development Plans 2. Development management – taking decisions on planning applications submitted to the local planning authority for development; as well as preparing Local Impact Assessments for schemes which are determined by the Infrastructure Planning Commission 3. Corporate – taking action at a council wide level to achieve a low carbon economy. 4. Leadership – taking forward wider community action and communicating the need to increase the uptake of renewable energy.

Purpose This REA constitutes an evidence base to underpin a number of local development plan policies that can support and facilitate the deployment of renewable and low carbon energy systems across the Wrexham County Borough area. The REA (or evidence base) consists of an assessment of the potential for renewable and low carbon energy generation, at different scales, and at different levels of detail.

Why is this REA important?

This REA will inform action to support the deployment and delivery of renewable energy installations on the ground. This is expected to assist in meeting the two key challenges for UK

1 http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/ppw/?lang=en 2 http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan8/?lang=en Page 4 of 62 energy policy, namely: tackling climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving energy security. At a more detailed level, this REA provides an evidence base to explore a number of policy objectives:

 Identification and promotion of sites for renewable energy generation;  Informing the selection of land for development (allocation of sites), by identifying those sites with the greatest potential for sustainable energy and carbon reduction;  Ensure that sites under consideration for allocation do not conflict with the potential to deliver renewable energy or low carbon development; and  To enable local authority exploration of requiring developers to connect to an existing or proposed district heating network

Within the REA, the ‘accessible’ renewable energy resource has been identified and an initial heat opportunities analysis. The opportunities relate particularly to where renewable and low carbon energy may be linked to new development via district heating networks (DHNs).

This REA presents information that is potentially useful to developers and wider stakeholders alike in facilitating partnerships and taking forward delivery of the opportunities identified. It will also assist Wrexham County Borough Council planning policy officers deliver two national planning policy expectations as set out in Planning Policy Wales, namely:

1. Planning for Renewable Energy. This indicates that “local planning authorities [LPA’s] should undertake an assessment of the potential for all renewable energy resources, renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, and conservation measures, and to include appropriate policies in LDP’s”. 2. Planning for Sustainable Buildings. This states that, as part of preparing their LDP’s, “Local planning authorities should assess strategic sites to identify opportunities for higher sustainable building standards [including zero carbon] to be required. In bringing forward standards higher than the national minimum ...... LPA’s should ensure that what is proposed is evidence-based and viable”.

In order to achieve higher standards, it is highly likely that at some point some form of renewable or low carbon energy generation will be required. This REA has employed the method detailed in “Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon energy: A Toolkit for Planners”3 for identifying and assessing potential.

Wider corporate role In terms of wider roles, all local authorities including Wrexham County Borough Council may have objectives or requirements in relation to tackling climate change that they need to meet, stemming from either Sustainable Community Strategies, national strategies or their own corporate strategies. This REA enables Wrexham County Borough Council to identify specific opportunities for taking forward renewable and low carbon energy generation across the Wrexham County Borough area.

Scope of this Renewable Energy Assessment - What this Renewable Energy Assessment does, and does not, cover is set out below.

Planning The REA focuses on planning policy, rather than development management. This Assessment has been developed primarily for Wrexham County Borough Council policy planners, as an

3 http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/guidanceandleaflets/toolkit-for-planners/?lang=en Page 5 of 62 evidence base to support renewable and low carbon energy policies and site allocations in the LDP.

This REA is not intended for use by development control officers to assess planning applications for either strategic new development sites that are incorporating renewable energy, or for stand- alone renewable energy generating systems. However, parts of the REA, such as the Energy Opportunities Plan can potentially be very useful to inform pre-application discussions between development management officers and developers. Firstly, when assessing applications for new development sites, it can aid officers in discussions with developers around opportunities for district heating and making use of waste heat. Secondly, when assessing applications for larger scale new generation schemes, it can enable officers to identify whether there is the potential for those schemes to supply heat to new or existing development. Thirdly, in the case of wind and solar developments, it can assist officers in understanding why a developer has chosen a particular location to develop a scheme.

Technology The Assessment is not meant to be an exhaustive guide to the different renewable and low carbon energy technologies that are available. TAN 84 provides an introduction to a range of renewable and low carbon technologies and should be first point of reference. Others include The Department for Energy and Climate Change and the Energy Saving Trust.

Energy Hierarchy This REA focuses on renewable and low carbon energy generation, and the opportunities for promoting this through the LDP, rather than on improving energy efficiency in new or existing buildings. This is not to imply that the latter is less important in terms of mitigating climate change: it is at least as, if not more, important. However, it is not covered in this REA, partly to keep the document to a manageable size, but also because there is only a limited amount, if anything, that planning policy for new developments can contribute in this area, over and above the existing sustainable buildings standards in Wales, and future changes to part L of the Building Regulations.

Transport The REA covers the potential for generating renewable electricity or heat (for use in buildings or processes) but does not include an assessment of the potential for renewable or low carbon fuels for transport.

On-shore In terms of renewable energy options and resources, potential has only been assessed for on- shore renewable energy. It does not cover the potential for offshore renewable energy, such as wave, offshore wind and tidal.

Large scale on-shore wind The REA is not intended to duplicate the analysis carried out in TAN 8, which identified Strategic Search Areas (SSAs) for large scale on-shore wind power (none of which are located in Wrexham). Rather, in the case of wind power, it has identified smaller scale opportunities outside of the SSAs.

Policy wording The REA provides an evidence base to support relevant policies for potential inclusion in the LDP, rather than giving detailed guidance on how policies should be worded. The latter is the role of supporting guidance in TAN 8, and TAN 22.

Test of soundness

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The responsibility of preparing evidence for LDP policies and decisions taken in the LDP is the sole responsibility of Wrexham County Borough policy planners. Assumptions and data used in carrying out this REA have been sought from established sources. Where there is no established source an assumption has been derived based on the best evidence available. In future, guidance, assumptions and data sources may change, particularly as technology and the policy and regulatory framework evolves.

1.4 Defining renewable energy and low carbon energy

Renewable energy There are many definitions of renewable energy, the definition employed in Planning Policy Wales [Para 12.8.7] is as follows:

“Renewable energy is the term used to cover those sources of energy, other than fossil fuels or nuclear fuel, which are continuously and sustainably available in our environment. This includes wind, water, solar, geothermal energy and plant material often referred to as biomass”

Another important characteristic of renewable energy, which will be explained in more detail below, is that unlike fossil fuels, it produces little or no net carbon dioxide [CO2] – which is one of the main greenhouse gas emissions. Most forms of renewable energy stem directly or indirectly from the sun. The direct ones include, obviously, solar water heating, and photovoltaics. This also includes ground source and air source heat pumps, which make use of solar energy stored in the ground. The indirect forms are: wind power, as wind is caused by differential warming of the earth’s surface by the sun; hydropower, as rainfall is driven by the sun causing evaporation of the oceans; and biomass energy [from burning organic matter], as all plants photosynthesise sunlight in order to fix carbon and grow.

The combustion of biomass fuel is carbon neutral, because although the combustion releases CO2, the same amount of CO2 was taken out of the atmosphere when the biomass was growing. Research informing Planning Policy Wales confirms “Biomass is generally regarded as fuel [other than fossil fuel], at least 98% of the energy content of which is derived organically from plant or animal matter. This includes agricultural, forestry or wood waste or residues, sewage and energy crops”.

The other two forms of renewable energy are tidal power, which relies on the gravitational pull of both the sun and the moon, and geothermal energy, which taps into the heat generated in the Earth’s core. Of all these, perhaps the most complex and multi-faceted are biomass energy, as it can take so many forms. It can include: burning of forestry residues; anaerobic digestion of animal manures and food wastes; combustion of straw and other agricultural residues and products. It also includes the methane produced from the anaerobic digestion of biodegradable matter in landfill sites [i.e. landfill gas], as well as any energy generated from the biodegradable fraction of waste going into an energy from waste plant.

This REA does not cover the resource for all renewable energy options (see Table 1 below). It is focused on onshore renewable energy options only. It also does not cover renewable energy options that are unlikely to be generally accessible at a local authority level, for sites in the Wrexham County Borough area, such as geothermal energy, or tidal barrages. It does cover the following renewable energy technologies [considering both electricity and heat]:

Table 1: Renewable energy technologies covered by the REA Renewable energy technologies covered by the REA Wind energy [on-shore wind and community scale development] Biomass energy: including forestry residues, miscanthus, short rotation coppice and straw Page 7 of 62

Energy from Waste [EfW] including:  Waste Wood  Municipal waste  Industrial and commercial waste Centralised Anaerobic Digestion, covering;  Food Waste  Agricultural Waste  Sewage sludge Hydropower Energy Building Integrated Renewables [BIR], covering: biomass boilers; air and ground source heat pumps, photovoltaics; small and micro wind power. Solar:

Low carbon energy options Low carbon energy options cover a range of energy sources that are not renewable, but can still produce less carbon than use of the conventional electricity grid or gas network, and are therefore considered an important part of decarbonising the energy supply. These options include:

 Waste heat, e.g. from power stations, or industrial processes  Gas engine or gas turbine Combined Heat and Power [CHP], where the heat is usefully used  Stirling engine or fuel cell CHP, where the heat is usefully used  The non-biodegradable fraction of the output from energy from waste plants

1.5 Explanation of energy terms: the difference between power and energy and electricity and heat

Power vs. energy output In the context of this Renewable Energy Assessment, power is measured in either KiloWatts [kW], or MegaWatts [MW], which is a thousand kW, or GigaWatts [GW], which is a thousand MW. It is a measure of the electricity or heat output being generated [or used] at any given moment in time. The maximum output of a generator, when it is running at full power, is referred to as its installed capacity or rated power output.

Energy, on the other hand, is the product of power and time. It has the units of kWh [the h stands for “hour”] or MWh, or GWh. As an example, if a 2MW wind turbine ran at full power for 1 hour, it would have generated 2 x 1 = 2MWh of energy. If it ran at full power for one day [24 hours], it would have generated 2 x 24 = 48MWh.

This distinction is important, because in carrying out the renewable energy resource assessment set out in E1, certain assumptions have been made to calculate both the potential installed capacity [or maximum power output] of different technologies, as well as the potential annual energy output.

Electricity vs. Heat output In terms of the units used, to avoid confusion, it can be important to distinguish between whether a generator is producing electricity or heat. This is because some renewable energy fuels [i.e. biomass] can be used to produce either heat only, or power and heat simultaneously when used in a Combined Heat & Power [CHP] plant.

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It is also important to be able to distinguish between renewable electricity targets and renewable heat targets. To do this, the suffix “e” is added in this toolkit to denote electricity power or energy output, e.g. MWe, or MWhe, whilst for heat, the suffix “t” is used [for “thermal”], to denote heat output, e.g. MWt, or MWht

2.0 Policy context and drivers for renewable energy

2.1 Introduction

The Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015)5 establishes a legal obligation for public bodies to deliver seven wellbeing goals, three of which are directly relevant to work on renewable energy;  A prosperous Wales; An innovative, productive and low carbon society which recognises the limits of the global environment and therefore uses resources efficiently and proportionately (including acting on climate change); and which develops a skilled and well- educated population in an economy which generates wealth and provides employment opportunities, allowing people to take advantage of the wealth generated through securing decent work;  A Resilient Wales; A nation which maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to adapt to change (for example climate change);  A Globally Responsible Wales; A nation which, when doing anything to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales, takes account of whether doing such a thing may make a positive contribution to global well-being.

In ‘One Wales’ programme for government, Welsh Government set out a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Wales, with an aim to achieve annual carbon reduction-equivalent emission reductions of 3% per year in areas of devolved competence, including actions on diversified renewable energy generation. Welsh Government has reiterated the recognition that climate change is the greatest threat facing humanity and is committed to ensuring that Wales plays a full part in meeting the challenges which this presents.

Welsh Government has a legal obligation to promote Sustainable Development and has embarked on an ambitious and long term programme of cross cutting policy initiatives to address these issues. This is contained in ‘One Wales: One Planet’ (2009)6 which sets out a vision where within the lifetime of a generation we want to see Wales using only its fair share of the earth’s resources. Renewable energy plays an integral part in achieving this vision. The Climate Change Strategy [2010] set out a vision for Wales in 20507. Within this vision it states.

“The energy intensity of society has decreased significantly. There has been a major consistent drop in energy and water demand. There has been a major increase in renewable energy generation, offshore and onshore”

Moving towards a low carbon energy based economy is a national priority. The UK Government is committed to meeting the EU target of 15 % of energy from renewable sources by 2020, and Welsh Government will deliver its fair share towards these targets as set out in the Climate Change Strategy [2010].

5 http://gov.wales/topics/people-and-communities/people/future-generations-act/?lang=en 6 http://gov.wales/docs/desh/publications/090521susdev1wales1planeten.pdf 7 http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/climatechange/emissions/climate-change-strategy-for- wales/?lang=en Page 9 of 62

2.2 UK and European policy context

EU Renewable Energy Directive8: The UK has signed up to the Directive, agreeing to legally binding targets of 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020. The UK Renewable Energy Strategy18 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 Roadmap [2011]9 sets out how the UK could 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. The Roadmap confirms that approximately 90% of the generation necessary to meet the 15% target can be delivered from a subset of eight technologies.

Technology Central Range for 2020 (TWh) Onshore Wind 24-32 Off-shore Wind 33-58 Biomass (Electricity) 32-50 Marine 1 Biogas (Heat) 36-50 Heat Pumps 16-22 Renewable Transport Up to 48 Other 14 Estimated 15% target 234

The remaining renewable energy generation necessary to meet the 2020 target, will come from technologies such as hydropower, solar PV, and deep geothermal heat and power.

2.3 Wales policy context for planning and renewable energy

Planning’s wider role in shaping places with lower carbon emissions and resilience to climate change is set out in of PPW edition 9 November 2016 [Chapter 4 – Planning for Sustainability] and the associated Technical Advice Note (TAN) 8 on renewable energy. The Welsh Government has set out to achieve annual carbon reduction-equivalent emissions reductions of 3 per cent per year in areas of devolved competence, which include land use planning. The Welsh Government is also committed to achieving at least a 40% reduction in all greenhouse gas emissions in Wales by 2020 against a 1990 baseline.

PPW [paragraph 4.12.5] states that “local planning authorities should assess strategic sites to identify opportunities for higher sustainable building standards [including zero carbon] to be required. In bringing forward standards higher than the national minimum local planning authorities should ensure that what is proposed is evidence-based and viable”.

In addition, PPW [paragraph 4.12.7] states that “particular attention should be given to opportunities for minimising carbon emissions associated with the heating, cooling and power systems for new developments. This can include utilising existing or proposed local and low and zero carbon energy supply systems [including district heating systems], encouraging the

8 https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-directive 9 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/48128/2167-uk-renewable-energy- roadmap.pdf Page 10 of 62 development of new opportunities to supply proposed and existing development, and maximising opportunities to co-locate potential heat customers and suppliers.”

The Planning and Energy Act, 200810, enables LPA in Wales to set reasonable requirements in the LDP for the generation of energy from local renewable sources and low carbon energy and for energy efficiency. The Act is complemented by the policies contained in PPW that cover such issues and provides a legal basis for the implementation of LDP policies against the national framework. The Act requires that LDP policies must not be inconsistent with relevant national policies, and the new powers of LPA under the 2008 Act are also subject to the requirements of section 62 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 200411.

Energy developments meeting the criteria of ‘Developments of National Significance’ will be determined directly by the Welsh Government.

In September 2009 and 2011 changes were made to ‘permitted development’ rights to make provision for the installation of certain types of microgeneration by householders without the need for planning permission, namely solar photovoltaic and solar thermal panels, ground and water source heat pumps and flues for biomass heating. Further Permitted Development rights relating to wind turbines were made in 2011.

In Wales changes to Part L of the Building Regulations came into force on 31 July 201412. These changes mean that new dwellings will be 8% more energy efficient when compared to the Building Regulations 2010 standards. The Welsh Government had previously consulted in 2012 on a 40% or 25% reduction on 2010 levels, stating that 40% was its preferred option.

Wales wider policy context

Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition (2013) The approach is to undertake a whole system transition to low carbon energy – covering electricity, heating and transport – which amounts to a revolution in the way we meet and manage our energy needs. Countries that lead on the transition to low carbon can exploit significant wealth generation opportunities globally as well as internally. We therefore want to ensure that Wales is in the best possible position to not only create new jobs and supply chain opportunities, but to take advantage of the potential to export energy, expertise, goods and services to other nations seeking to make the transition to a low carbon economy. The document sets how Welsh Government will enable a transition to low carbon by;

 Providing leadership on energy in Wales; by reviewing the consenting regime, putting in place energy infrastructure and co-ordinating and prioritising delivery through an energy programme;  Maximise the benefit energy can deliver for Wales by; ensuring Wales benefits economically from energy developments; ensuring Wales’ communities benefit from energy developments; focusing on energy projects of greatest potential benefit;  Act now for Wales’ long term energy future; by unlocking the energy in our seas and leading the way to smart living

Environment Act 2016 Climate change – provides the Welsh Ministers with powers to put in place statutory emission reduction targets, including at least an 80% reduction in emissions by 2050 and carbon budgeting

10 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/21/contents 11 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/5/contents 12 http://gov.wales/topics/planning/buildingregs/approved-documents/part-l-energy/?lang=en Page 11 of 62 to support their delivery. This is vital within the context of our existing UK and EU obligations and sets a clear pathway for decarbonisation. It also provides certainty and clarity for business and investment.

2.4 Other UK Drivers for Renewable Energy

Feed in Tariffs [FITs] The Feed-in Tariffs scheme (FITs) is an environmental programme introduced by the government to promote the use of small-scale renewable and low-carbon electricity generation technologies. If a householder, community or business has an eligible installation, FITs pays them a tariff for the electricity they generate and a tariff for the electricity they export back to the grid. The following technologies are eligible for the scheme:  Solar photovoltaic (PV) with a total installed capacity (TIC) of 5MW or less  Wind with a TIC of 5MW or less  Hydro with a TIC of 5MW or less  Anaerobic digestion with a TIC of 5MW or less  Micro combined heat and power (CHP) installations with a TIC of 2kW or less. However an extension to an existing FIT installation that was commissioned on or after 15 January 2016, then it will not be eligible for FIT payments.

Renewable Heat Incentive Domestic and Non-Domestic [RHI] The Renewable Heat Incentive is a government financial incentive to promote the use of renewable heat. Switching to heating systems that use eligible energy sources can help the UK reduce its carbon emissions and meet its renewable energy targets. People who join the scheme and stick to its rules receive quarterly payments for seven years for the amount of clean, green renewable heat it’s estimated their system produces. Since opening in April 2014, the scheme has already seen thousands of people successfully join and receive payments.

There are four eligible renewable technology types. These are: 1.biomass only boilers, and biomass pellet stoves 2.air source heat pumps 3.ground source heat pumps 4.flat plate and evacuated tube solar thermal panels.

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, with the value of the fine “pot” being, 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.

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3.0 How to use this Renewable Energy Assessment

3.1 Structure of the Renewable Energy Assessment (REA)

The Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy: Toolkit for Planners (2015)13, details a number of policy options a local authority may choose and then provides guidance to aid the collection of an evidence base to support the policy options. This REA seeks an evidence base for these options;

P2. Inform site allocations These can identify whether sites may be in conflict with potential sites for renewable energy deployment, or whether there may be an opportunity to consolidate sites together in terms of new development providing potential heat loads for renewable energy generation.

P3. Identify sites for stand-alone renewable energy development. This covers the identification of strategic sites for stand-alone, local authority-wide scale renewable energy schemes, not necessarily linked to any new developments. This relates to onshore wind energy projects between 5 and 25MW (outside of the SSA’s in TAN8) and between 5 and 50MW for all other technologies.

P4. Identify opportunities and requirements for renewable or low carbon energy generation linked to strategic new build development sites. This may involve developing specific policy requirements for major new development sites, to consider the use of, for example, CHP and DH, where the assessment shows that there is significant potential for renewable or low carbon energy generation or use.

P4. Develop policy mechanisms to support District Heating Networks (DHNs) for strategic sites. For new development sites where there is the potential for district heating networks (DHNs) to be fuelled by renewable or low carbon energy sources, local authorities can consider setting requirements to connect to DHNs, or perhaps to pay into a fund to support DHN infrastructure in the locality. For both P3 and P4, a key output from the evidence base assessment is an Energy Opportunities Plan, which is a visual, spatial depiction of the opportunities.

P6. Identify further actions for LA, public sector and wider stakeholders This follows on from P3, P4 and P5, and involves the identification of actions wider than just planning policy to assist in the delivery of strategic opportunities for renewable or low carbon energy generation.

To provide the evidence base to support these policy options the following evidence base is required; E1 Area Wide RE Assessment; E3 Heat Opportunities Mapping; E4 Detailed Viability Appraisal for Strategic Sites.

3.2 Who has developed this REA?

This REA has been developed by Wrexham County Borough Council planning policy officers, with assistance from local authority waste and energy officers. The REA has been compiled using a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) approach and methods as set out within the aforementioned practice guidance.

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Wrexham County Borough Council area wide renewable Energy assessment

This section details the ‘accessible’ renewable energy resources in the Wrexham County Borough Council area, the variation in technologies that may need to be employed to utilise such resources, and the different outputs (electricity and / or heat) of each technology.

Issues and questions addressed by this element of the REA include: Calculating existing and future energy baseline  What is the current energy demand in the WCBC local authority area?  What will be the energy demand in the WCBC local authority area in 2020?

Existing and proposed LZC energy technologies  What is the existing capacity of low and zero carbon energy technologies in the WCBC local authority area?  Are any low and zero carbon energy technology installations being proposed in the WCBC local authority area?

Wind energy resource  What is the potential for medium and large scale wind in the WCBC local authority area?  What are the potential sites for stand-alone renewable energy development in the WCBC local authority area?

Biomass energy resource  What is the potential energy from biomass in the WCBC local authority area?

Energy from Waste  What is the potential energy from municipal solid waste in the WCBC local authority area?  What is the potential energy from commercial and industrial waste in the WCBC local authority area?  What is the potential energy from energy from food waste in the WCBC local authority area?  What is the potential energy from energy from animal manure and poultry litter in the WCBC local authority area?  What is the potential energy from digestion of sewage sludge in the WCBC local authority area?

Hydropower Energy Resource  What is the potential energy from hydropower in the WCBC local authority area?

Solar PV Farms  What is the potential for medium and large scale PV Farms in your local authority area?  What are the potential sites for standalone PV Farm development in your local authority area?  What is the potential energy [MW] from ‘stand-alone’ solar PV farms in your area?

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4.0 County Borough Wide Renewable Energy Assessment

4.1 Calculating existing and future energy baseline (Sheet I)

The method employed for base-lining the WCBC area wide energy consumption is detailed in ‘Renewable energy: A Toolkit for Planners’ Sheet I.14

Data Sources;  DECC Sub National Total Final Energy Consumption in the UK 2015;

The method relies upon:

 Predicted future energy demand as indicated in the UK Renewable Energy Strategy  WAG derived data and statistics currently published by DECC.

Table 4.1 indicates the reported total annual demand (Giga Watt hour (GWh)) for the UK, Wales and for Wrexham County Borough for 2013 by energy sector while Table 4.2 shows the predicted electricity and heat demand for Wrexham County Borough for 202015.

Table 4.1: Total Energy Demand: 2013 Total Energy 2013 (GWh) Sector UK Wales Wrexham Electricity 289,976 15,545 999 Heat 712,702 55,968 2,050 Transport 434,005 21,465 755

Wrexham County Borough Council’s Local Development Plan period runs until 2028. As such this report has assumed that the rate of change associated with both electrical and thermal energy between 2013 and 2020 will continue unchanged. Thus the predicted electrical and thermal consumption across Wrexham in 2028 is 1020 GWh, and 1,918 GWh respectively.

Table 4.2: Predicted Energy Demand WCB: 2028

Electricity (GWh) Thermal (GWh) Baseline energy 2009 1025 2833 Projection to 2028 99.7% 81.3% Predicted energy 2028 1022 2303 Percentage change from 2009 -0.5% -32.3% to 2028 Years to plan period 15 15

Predicted energy 2028 1020 1918

14 http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/guidanceandleaflets/toolkit-for-planners/?lang=en 15 Source both tables: DECC Sub National Total Final Energy Consumption in the UK 2015 Page 15 of 62

Table 4.3: Total Energy Demand by Sector: 2013 Total Energy 2013 (GWh) Sector UK Wales Wrexham UK RES Sector Coal (Industrial/Commercial) 22,558 1,651 68 Heat Coal (Domestic) 5,693 708 27 Heat Manufactured fuels (Industrial/Commercial) 44,113 15,370 0.2 Heat Manufactured fuels (Domestic) 3,052 203 14 Heat Petroleum products (Industrial/Commercial) 106,655 11,280 103 Heat Petroleum products (Domestic) 32,228 3,303 103 Heat Petroleum products (Road Transport) 426,410 21,107 746 Transport Petroleum products (Rail) 7,595 358 9 Transport Natural Gas (Industrial/Commercial) 182,747 8,976 1,109 Heat Natural Gas (Domestic) 315,656 14,477 626 Heat Electricity (Industrial/Commercial) 181,556 10,366 774 Electricity Electricity (Domestic) 108,420 5,179 225 Electricity Renewables and Waste 22,597 3,035 499 n/a Source: Sub-national total final energy consumption in the United Kingdom 2005-2013 - DECC (2015)

4.2 Existing and proposed LZC energy technologies (Sheet A)

Data Sources;  FIT Installations Statistical Report (Ofgem; Sept 2017);  Ofgem Renewables and CHP Register (Ofgem; Sept 2017);  Renewable Energy Planning Database (DECC; Sept 2017);

To demonstrate the progress being made and establish a baseline of installed capacity (Table 4.4) the capacity of Low and Zero Carbon [LZC] technologies already installed in the WCBC local authority area had been established. Where LZC energy technologies already exist, the installed capacities [measured in MW] were recorded.

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. The locations of the larger scale projects have been plotted using GIS, and are included within Figure 4.4 below.

Identifying existing smaller scale and microgeneration capacity Data has been collected at the local authority level on Feed in Tariff accredited installations. Care has been taken to ensure no double counting has taken place, primarily through discussion with Wrexham County Borough Council officers.

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Table 4.4: Existing Renewable Energy Installations: WCBC 2017

Capacity Name of Scheme Technology (MWe) Status Source 1 Five Fords WWTW CHP Sewage gas 1.17 Installed Ofgem Register 2 Tesco Cefn Mawr 6450 Fueled 0.29 Installed Ofgem Register 3 Hafod Quarry Landfill Gas Landfill gas 1.113 Installed Ofgem Register 4 Trench Solar Farm Photovoltaic 4.02 Installed Ofgem Register 5 Penybont Solar Farm Landfill gas 2.3 Installed DECC 6 Bronwylfa Solar Farm Photovoltaic 3 Installed DECC N/A Wrexham CBC Social Housing Photovoltaic 4.23 Installed WCBC N/A Wrexham CBC Schools/Offices Photovoltaic 0.28 Installed WCBC N/A FiT Photovoltaic 10.086 Installed Ofgem FiT 7 Penycae Solar Farm Photovoltaic 5 Installed Ofgem Register N/A FiT Wind 0.02 Installed Ofgem FiT 8 Land Opposite Tyn Y Pistyll Photovoltaics 5 Installed WCBC 9 Land at Maelor Gas Works Photovoltaics 5 Installed WCBC 10 Knolton Farmhouse Cheese Solar Farm Photovoltaics 1 Installed DECC 11 Land NW Of Pickhill Bridge Farm Photovoltaics 5Installed DECC Total 47.51 MWe

Table 4.5: Proposed Renewable Energy Installations Capacity Name of Scheme Technology (MWe) Status Source 1 Planning Permission Land north of Bryn Lane Photovoltaics 6.4 Granted DECC 2 Planning Permission Land south of Francis Lane Photovoltaics 4.6 Granted DECC 3 Planning Permission Land at Borras Hall Photovoltaics 10 Granted DECC 4 Planning Permission Land off Bryn Lane, WIE Granted (Under Biomass 5.4 Construction) WCBC Total 26.4 MWe

Table 4.6: Existing Renewable Heat Capacity Capacity Name of Scheme Technology (MWe) Status Source Five Fords WWTW CHP Sewage gas 0.49 Installed Ofgem Register Tesco Cefn Mawr 6450 Fuelled 0.15 Installed Ofgem Register Hafod Quarry Landfill Gas Landfill gas 0.67 Installed Ofgem Register Gardden Lodge Landfill gas 1.26 Installed Ofgem Register Penybont Landfill gas 1.38 Installed DECC Total 3.95 MWe

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Existing and Proposed LZC Technologies Map

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4.3 Wind Energy Resource (Sheet B)

This section follows the methodology for undertaking a strategic assessment of accessible wind power potential as set out in the ‘Toolkit for Planners’ sheet ‘B’16.

It is noted that this methodology is only suitable for a strategic, high level assessment. Though the exercise may show that the locating of wind turbines might be constrained in a particular area this does not mean that turbines could not be located there in practice. This is because, for example, environmental designations in those areas may not be impacted on by a wind development (e.g. if the designation is for flora or invertebrates), or it may be possible to achieve a “technical fix” for radar interference at a particular site. Therefore, the constraints maps should not be used to preclude wind development in constrained areas. It is for each planning applicant to demonstrate whether the impacts are within acceptable limits, and meet relevant policy and guidance.

Secondly, although this high level process can inform the potential for individual sites, it is not in itself enough to fully assess their technical viability. Some of the further site level constraints that would need to be assessed (and this is not meant to be an exhaustive list) include:  Site slope  Practical access to sites required for development  Proximity to power lines, public rights of way, bridle ways  Landowner willingness for development to go ahead  Distance to the nearest appropriate electricity grid connection  Consultation with telecommunications operators to identify whether any links were passing over the site  Formal consultation with the MoD and Civil Aviation Authority to identify any potential objections in relation to radar interference  Impact on birds, bats and other ecology  Issues of cumulative impact in relation to other existing or proposed wind power installations.

For the purposes of planning policy in Wales, large scale wind power has been defined in TAN 8 as wind farms of between 25MW and 50MW. Those above 50MW are the responsibility of the Independent Planning Commission under the Electricity Act. TAN8 provides details of ‘Strategic Search Areas, (SSAs), sites identified as suitable and potential locations for large scale wind. TAN8 states that ‘outside of SSAs wind farms are allowed up to 25MW capacity on urban brown field sites and generally less than 5MW elsewhere’.

Wind farms, by nature, are most usually situated in rural settings away from residential development and where the wind resource is least constrained. This can mean that there is often no opportunity to utilise on-site the outputs from wind farms leaving export of electricity to grid as the only option.

Typology The following wind turbine typology was used in the study, since this is considered to represent a typical current onshore wind turbine:  Rated output: 2MW  Hub height: 80m  Rotor diameter: 80m  Height to blade tip at the highest point (“tip height”): 120m  Average density of 5 turbines per 1km2

16 http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/guidanceandleaflets/toolkit-for-planners/?lang=en Page 19 of 62

Average Annual Wind Speed Average Annual Wind Speed (AAWS) has been estimated for each 1km2 across the UK, using an air flow model which estimates the effects of topography on wind speed. This archived database is available from the DECC website and has been mapped for Wrexham see Figure 4.1 below.

There is no established guidance on minimum AAWS for locating wind farms, but the standard industry approach is to look for a minimum AAWS of 6m/s at 45m above ground level, and ideally in excess of 6.5m/s. Accordingly, grid cells with an AAWS of less than 6m/s, between 6m/s and 6.5m/s, and greater than 6.5m/s, have been classified as ‘low’, ‘moderate’ and ‘high’ wind speed areas respectively. In order to conform to current industry practice for the chosen turbine typology, it has been assumed that areas with low AAWS have no wind potential for the purposes of this study.

Fig 4.1: Wind Constraints Map Average Annual Wind speed Low/Moderate/High

Constraint Mapping

Statutory Designations Environmental & Heritage Wind turbines may be restricted by nearby Statutory Designations which might lead to the refusal of planning consent. These constraints have been mapped accordingly and it has been assumed that there is no strategic scale potential for wind power development in areas where the following are present:  Special Protection Area (SPA)  Special Area of Conservation (SAC)  RAMSAR sites  National Nature Reserves (NNR)  Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)  Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM)  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) plus a 7km buffer  World Heritage site and Buffer  Historic Landscapes Page 20 of 62

Non-Statutory Designations There are some significant areas of constraint associated with non-statutory designations including;  Special Landscape Areas (as reviewed for the LDP)  Green Wedges (as reviewed for the LDP)  Transport Infrastructure & Other Physical Constraints  Noise Buffer for Existing Residential Development  Aviation & Radar Constraints  Other constraints (woodland, water, quarries)

Transport Infrastructure & Other Physical Constraints To minimise disruption and potential incidents in the unlikely event that a wind turbine should ‘topple’, a minimum ‘exclusion zone’ is necessary around key transport infrastructure known as a ‘topple distance’ (i.e. the hub height plus rotor radius, equal to 120m) of 170m around Principal transport networks and 132m around secondary transport networks.

Noise Buffer for Existing Residential Development

The location of turbines is further restricted by the potential impact associated with the noise they generate; both aerodynamic noise from the blades moving through the air and mechanical noise from the gear box within the hub. In order to mitigate the potential noise impact of wind turbines, a ‘noise buffer’ has been applied around all existing dwellings. An exclusion zone of 500 metres has been utilised, in line with typical industry practice. These are mapped in Figure 4.2 below.

Fig 4.2: Residential Buffer Constraint

Existing Aviation & Radar Constraints

Larger wind turbines can cause interference with radar systems and also represent obstructions to low flying aircraft. The following constraints were mapped (where applicable):  Controlled airspace (including military aircraft low flying zones, or Tactical Training Areas).  UK aerodrome traffic zones (ATZ)  Military aerodrome traffic zones (MATZ)  High intensity radio transmission areas Page 21 of 62

 Aerodromes with instant approach procedures outside controlled airspace  Potential interference with National Air Traffic Service/NATS En Route Plc (NERL) radar infrastructure

Figure 4.3 Radar Constraint

While radar provides a constraint and a planning application would require consultation with the relevant body this does not on its own preclude the potential for development.

Bringing these constraints maps together enables us to identify constraint free wind resources which have been mapped in Figure 4.4 below. Note that only areas of 0.5km2 or more (i.e. able to accommodate 5MW of turbines) have been mapped, slithers and small parcels of land have been excluded;

Fig 4.4; Least Constrained Wind Resource (After Statutory and Non-Statutory Buffers Applied)

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Cumulative Visual and Landscape Impact

In reality harnessing all of that energy may cause significant cumulative visual and landscape impact. This potential impact needs to be considered as a further constraint and the potential resource revised accordingly. Welsh Government guidance proposes using a 7km separation distance between wind farms (the rationale being that beyond this distance, turbines do not appear dominant in the landscape). Given that the identified areas are all within close proximity to each other it is unlikely that all of the identified resource could be harnessed without having a negative impact on the landscape.

Fig 4.5: 7km visual buffer around principal resource

Consequently the map of least constrained resource is in Fig 4.6 below;

Figure 4.6: Unconstrained Wind Resource Map

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Wind Resource Priority

The ‘Planning for Renewable Energy’ toolkit suggests that the unconstrained wind resource is prioritised according to the following categories;

Table 4.1: Wind Resource Priority

Wind Resource Priority Average Annual Potential disruption to Wind Speed the NATS Priority 1 High [>6.5m/s] Low Priority 2 Moderate [6.0-6.5m/s] Low

The amount of resource available is detailed in table 4.2 below;

Table 4.2: Wind Resources by Area

Wind Priority Least constrained Area 2 Resource 1 or 2 ha km 1 1 85 0.85 2 1 62 0.62 3 1 27 0.27 Total 1 174 1.74 Total 2 0 0

Figure 4.5 above identifies land which is presently least constrained and potentially available for wind power development, broken down into categories of wind speed. It is possible to fit five 2MW turbines into 1km2, which equates to a potential installed capacity of 10MW/km2. However, this figure represents the maximum power output that turbines could produce, in reality, a turbine will often be generating at less than maximum energy, or sometimes no energy at all (for instance on a very calm day). To estimate a more realistic potential annual energy output in these areas an assumed capacity factor of 0.27 (27%) has been applied in line with advice in the Toolkit. The potential capacity for each priority area is presented in table 4.3 below. The identification of the area of unconstrained wind resource was used to convert to potential for installed generating capacity [in MW], and a potential annual energy output [in MWh]. The installed capacity figure represents the maximum accessible wind resource in the Wrexham County Borough area when taking into account the cumulative visual and landscape impacts.

Table 4.3: Total (Subject to Grid Connection and Capacity) Wind Resource Unconstrained Max Installed Potential energy Priority Area (km2) Capacity generated (MWh) Priority 1 1.74 16MW 37,843 Priority 2 0 0 0 Total 1.74 16MW 37,843

Capacity of Electricity Grid Connection

Wind energy sites, by nature, are most usually situated in rural settings away from residential development and where the wind resource is least constrained. This can mean that there is often no opportunity to utilise on-site the outputs from wind energy sites leaving export of electricity to the grid as the only option. The REA toolkit states17 that Local Authorities may wish to undertake further assessments outside of the scope of the toolkit including an assessment of grid capacity.

17 Section E1.3 Page 24 of 62

SP Networks (the local grid network provider) confirm that connection of wind generating capacity of between 5MW and 25MW would require connection to at least the 33kv network. It is also unlikely that connections in excess of 10km to a sub-station or line would be considered by developers18. The choice of route for connections is a complex technical matter beyond what is required for this level of assessment, therefore a simple 10km buffer has been used around 33kv lines and substations to screen out areas beyond practical grid connection. However connection routes that would require crossing major obstacles (over difficult topography, out of valleys over ridgelines into adjacent valleys, rivers, main roads/railways etc.) have also been discounted.

The constraint analysis detailed above identifies potential resources within the Ceiriog valley, however SP Networks confirm that this area is served only by 11kv distribution lines and state that the grid in the Ceiriog is severely constrained and a local connection is highly unlikely without extensive reinforcement works. With no plans to re-inforce the network in this area and the nearest 33kv connection over 10km away it is not considered that there is electricity grid capacity in this area for a wind local search area. Furthermore, the small scale of resource (16MW) will impact on the viability of a potential scheme to overcome these constraints.

The maps below detail the capacity of the local grid serving the two largest wind resource areas in the Ceiriog. Neither of which have capacity without extensive reinforcement works. While detailed technical and viability evaluation may be able to address these concerns for the purposes of a strategic assessment these constraints are considered sufficient to dismiss wind from further promotion.

Fig 4.7: SP Network Distributed Generation Capacity Heat Map

The identified resources are marked with blue stars with a 10km radius centred around them. The SP 33kv grids are identified in red and clearly show that 33kv capacity is not available within 10km of the wind resources.

18 Facilitating Planning for Renewable Energy in Wales: Meeting the Target, Arup Final Report 2004 http://gov.wales/topics/planning/planningresearch/publishedresearch/meetingtarget/?lang=en Page 25 of 62

4.4 Wood Fuel and Proposed Low/Carbon Energy Technologies (Sheet C)

The term biomass encompasses a variety of fuels and technologies used to produce renewable energy. Biomass can be generally defined as material of recent biological origin, derived from plant or animal matter. This section mainly deals with the type of ‘dry’ biomass that is more commonly combusted either to generate heat or to produce electricity. However, other types of biomass can also be anaerobically digested to generate ‘biogas’ or used to produce a transport ‘biofuel’.

Biomass is widely used in many countries as a feedstock for modern heating systems. Modern biomass heating technology is well developed and can be used to provide heat to buildings of all sizes, either through individual boilers or via district heating networks. Biomass is also increasingly being used to fuel electricity plant or combined heat and power (CHP) plant due to the low carbon emissions associated with its use, although this application is currently limited to medium or larger scale installations as this offers advantages in terms of technical and economic viability. Although modern biomass energy generation is not yet well-established in the UK, the number of installations is rapidly increasing.

The focus of this section is on establishing the potential ‘dry’ biomass resource from the growing of energy crops, the assessment identifies areas of land as having the potential for the growing of energy crops. The resource is defined as:

 Wood fuel resource;  Energy crops (e.g. miscanthus & short-rotation coppice); but  There is no consideration of the utilisation of straw as an energy source as Wales is a net importer

Although areas of land have been indicated as having potential for the growing of energy crops, further detailed studies are required prior to action. 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 REA, includes the proximity of plant and practical access to sites required for preparation and delivery of fuel. Other constraints not considered are landowner willingness, political will, the time to complete planning procedures and an economic distance to the nearest appropriate electricity grid connection.

For the purposes of this REA it is suggested that the biomass resource is identified in the following way in accord with Sheet C of the REA Toolkit:

The identification of wood fuel and energy crops resource for heat and power generation in the assessment has been identified using various GIS datasets and mapping. The amount of wood fuel is calculated using the total amount of woodland available within Wrexham County Borough in the National Forest Inventory. An assumption of the potential land available for energy crops has been identified using the Agricultural Land Classification graded 1-4 minus any overlapping woodland, SSSI and ancient monuments. In accordance with the Toolkit, it is assumed that 10% of this identified land could be planted with energy crops.

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Table 4.4: Biomass Energy Potential

Total available biomass resource for Wrexham Energy Outputs Woodland Total Crops Available Area [ha] 35,188 4,630 Resource available to be used 10% n/a Usable area [ha] 3,519 n/a Yield [odt per ha] 12 0.6 Yield [odt per annum] 42,225 2,778 45,003 Electricity Required odt per 1MWe 6000 6000 Installed Capacity [Mwe] 7.04 0.46 7.50 Electricity / Heat from CHP Installed Capacity [Mwe] 7.04 0.46 7.50 Required odt per 2MWt 6000 6000 Installed Capacity [MWt] from CHP 14.08 0.93 15.00 Heat from boilers Required odt per 1MWt 660 660 Installed Capacity [MWt] from boilers 63.98 4.21 68.19

The REA toolkit recommends that we should assume that the energy crop resource is used to fuel either electricity only or CHP biomass facilities. Therefore the potential is 7.5MWe (electricity only) or 7.5MWe and 15MWt of heat (CHP) which could supply a medium to large scale CHP plant.

With construction for a 3MW plant underway (Bryn Lane) the residual resource would be <5MW, i.e. below the threshold for Local Authority resource. It is most likely that further development would take the form of a wide range of biomass plants from small scale domestic (<500kwth) to medium scale burners for CHP for a building and larger developments, there are no identified resources for large scale biomass plants which are defined as >10MW. As the scale of this resource and likely scale of biomass plant arising from the resource will fall outside of the scope of local authority wide scale development, there is no need to identify stand-alone sites for this technology. However, as the scale of the resource is only marginally below the 5MW threshold it is worth considering planning implications for this resource.

Welsh Governments Practice Guidance ‘The Planning Implications of Renewable and Low Carbon Energy’ (2011)19 provides useful context for this technology. This type of development has the appearance and site requirements (access, storage, parking) typical of an industrial building. Spatially it needs to be close to the grid to export energy and/or close to an end user for the waste heat. Typically these buildings are located within industrial and urban areas, as such they would be appropriately considered under general development criteria.

19 http://gov.wales/topics/planning/policy/guidanceandleaflets/planningimplications/?lang=en Page 27 of 62

4.5 Energy from Waste (Sheet D)

Historically in Wales there has been an over reliance on landfill for the disposal of waste. Much of the waste that is sent to landfill is capable of being reused, recycled, composted or treated in different ways to recover valuable material and energy. It is the recovery of energy within ‘dry’ or solid waste that is the subject of this section. Other potential energy sources from waste, food, agriculture, animal manure and sewage sludge are dealt with in the next section.

Following European Directive and Welsh Waste policy there has been a significant shift in the treatment of waste, in order to comply with targets contained in the national waste strategy for Wales: ‘Towards Zero Waste’ (2010)20, it will be necessary to increase recycling rates of all main waste streams (household, commercial and industrial) to a minimum of 70% by 2025.

In Wrexham County Borough waste has been phased out of landfill sites and sent instead to a Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant in Wrexham Industrial Estate to recover recyclate and produce a refuse derived fuel (RDF). Fuel derived from the waste is currently sent to Waste (CHP) facilities outside of the local authority area (Runcorn, Ferrybridge, Alfreton and Kirklees) for the purpose of electricity generation. Therefore this waste has been assumed as not being available to support renewable energy generation within Wrexham.

Less is known about the plans of commercial waste operators to treat commercial and industrial waste streams.

Table 4.5 below highlights the potential available energy capacity from waste (note that due to contracts mentioned above this is not currently available locally).

Table 4.5: Total predicted Municipal Solid Waste and Commercial & Industrial waste resource for Wrexham to 2020

Outputs Total Total waste [tonnes] 83456 Total residual [30%] 25037

Electricity (Elect + heat) Total Biodegradable element 30% Required wet tonnes per 1MWe 10320 Potential installed capacity [MWe] 2.43 0.85 Potential installed capacity heat (MWt) 4.85 1.7 Heat only Total Required wet tonnes per 1MWt 1790 Potential installed capacity [MWt] 13.99 4.9

20 http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/waste_recycling/zerowaste/?lang=en Page 28 of 62

4.5 Anaerobic Digestion (Sheet E)

Additional potential energy sources derived from waste include: • Food waste • Agricultural wastes • Animal manure (cattle and pigs) • Poultry litter • Sewage sludge

Data used in this section has been obtained from:  Welsh Agricultural Survey by Agricultural Small Areas;  Natural Resources Wales; and  Wrexham County Borough Council Waste Management Department

As 100% of the waste resource discussed in this section is biodegradable it is counted in its entirety as renewable energy.

Food Waste Municipal food waste projections were calculated by the Council's Waste Management Department. Currently, there is no data available to support an assessment of commercial food waste arisings in Wrexham and therefore the figure used is only the household waste element projected in the County Borough for 2020.

Potential installed Centralised Anaerobic Digestion capacity from total available MSW and commercial and industrial food resource.

Table 4.6: Food Waste Predicted tonnes per annum Current MSW food waste 2019/2020 Total Waste 12500 Electricity Required tonnes for 1MW 20000 Potential installed capacity [MW] 0.63 Heat Required tonnes for 1MW 13333 Potential installed capacity [MW] 0.94

Animal Manure The Welsh Government records the number of livestock at Local Authority area in Wales (Welsh Agricultural Small Area Statistics)21. 2014 survey data reports that there were approximately 42,760 cattle and 447 pigs on farms in Wrexham.

The REA ‘Toolkit’ estimates that cattle and pigs produce 1 tonnes, and 0.1 tonnes of slurry per month respectively. Since livestock will generally only be kept under cover for approximately 6 months of the year, it has been assumed that it is only possible to collect slurry for 6 months. Furthermore, many farms do not have a slurry system due to economic / area constraints and so it has been assumed that only 50% of farms actually use a slurry system.

21 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/agriculture2012/120906/?lang=en Page 29 of 62

Table 4.7: Potential installed capacity from total available animal manure resource Available Total Livestock Number Resource per Annual head/yr [t] Resource Cattle 42760 1.5 64140 Pigs 447 0.15 67 64207 Electricity Required wet tonnes per MWe 225000 Potential installed capacity [MWe] 0.3 Heat Required wet tonnes per MWt 150000 Potential installed capacity [MWt] 0.4

Table 4.8: Potential installed capacity from total available animal manure (heat only) Available Total Livestock Number Resource per Annual head/yr [t] Resource Cattle 42760 1.5 64140 Pigs 447 0.15 67 64207 Heat Required wet tonnes per MWt 47000 Potential installed capacity [MWt] 1.37

Poultry Litter The Toolkit sets out a methodology for assessing the available energy resource from poultry litter, data is collated from the Agriculture small area data set (2002-2014);

Table 4.9: Potential installed capacity from total available poultry litter resource Existing Resource No of birds from mass producing 636,764 farms [>10000] Litter [tonnes]/1000 birds/year 42 Total available litter [tonnes] 20,058 Electricity Required tonnes for 1MWe 11,000 Potential installed capacity [MWe] 1.82

The potential installed capacity would be insufficient to support a dedicated poultry litter energy plant (>10Mwe required). The resource could go towards supporting anaerobic digestion facilities.

Sewage Sludge Using figures derived from WAG’s consultation Bio-energy Action Plan for Wales (WAG, 2009)22 it is possible to estimate the potential dry tonnes of dry sewage sludge available for generation of energy through anaerobic digestion. It is estimated that in Wrexham the sludge available per annum in is 4,440. Table 4.10 below indicates the potential energy capacity yield from this resource:

22 http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/energy/renewable/bioenergy-action-plan-for-wales/?lang=en Page 30 of 62

Table 4.10: Potential installed capacity from total available sewage sludge resource

Predicted tonnes per Existing Resource annum 2019/2020

Total sewerage sludge 4,440 Electricity Required dry solids [tonnes] per 1MW 13,000 13,000 Potential installed capacity [MW] 0.3 Heat Required tonnes per 1MW 8,667 8,667 Potential installed capacity [MW] 0.45

However, Five Fords Waste Water Treatment plant serving Wrexham and most of the County Borough, the largest in North Wales, has an installed CHP with capacity for 1.17MWe which more than meets local potential.

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4.7 Hydropower Energy Resource (Sheet F)

This section assesses the accessible resource of hydro sites [under 10MW] and potential micro- hydro schemes.

Constraints upon the use of sites for hydropower schemes include the seasonality of water flows, financial viability of projects, the willingness of landowners and riparian rights of owners to advance projects. However, the major constraint is environmental issues and the need for Environment Agency acceptance and permitting.

UK and Wales context The Environment Agency published a report into the potential for small scale hydro power generation across England and Wales ‘Mapping Opportunities and Environmental Sensitivities for Hydropower’ (February 2010)23. Though small scale hydro schemes are not expected to play a major role in meeting the UK target for generating 15% of its energy from renewables by 2020, the ambition is such that all sources of renewable energy are expected to deliver their maximum sustainable potential.

The study provides a comprehensive national assessment of the potential for small-scale hydropower alongside the key environmental sensitivities that need to be addressed to unlock this potential. Though providing a national overview, the study does not replace the need for a site by site assessment.

Mapping Opportunities and Environmental Sensitivities for Hydropower – Wrexham Findings The study identified and assessed a total of 83 ‘barriers’, a term used to describe sites with sufficient drop to provide a hydropower opportunity (locks, waterfalls, dams and barrages). The estimated average maximum power generation capacity on a barrier was 90kW, with a total potential capacity of nearly 7.46MW. In reality, the practical potential will be a fraction of this due to practical and environmental constraints.

The study considered two environmental sensitivities: the presence of different fish species and whether the site has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Locally 72% of the barriers have been classified as “highly sensitive”, mostly because of the presence of migratory fish species such as salmon and eel; 4% are “medium” 24% are not classified due to a lack of data.

The methodology used in the study is set out within section 4 of the Environment Agency project report. This details the calculation of the hydropower opportunity, the environmental sensitivity classification, and the classification of opportunities. Local level results and the power potential of this resource are set out in Table 4.11 below.

Table 4.11: Hydropower Potential Total Max Max Power Output Number of Output Sensitivity Feature Category kw Opportunities kw Category 500 - 1500 WEIR kW 1500 1 1500 High WATERFALL > 1500 kW1500 1 1500 High

23 http://www.climate-em.org.uk/images/uploads/GEHO0310BRZH-E-E_technical_report.pdf Page 32 of 62

100 - 500 WATERFALL kW 500 2 1000 High 100 - 500 WEIR kW 500 3 1500 High 50 - 100 WEIR kW 100 3 300 High 50 - 100 WATERFALL kW 100 1 100 High WEIR 20 - 50 kW 50 10 500 High WATERFALL 20 - 50 kW 50 7 350 High WEIR 10 - 20 kW 20 1 20 High WATERFALL 10 - 20 kW 20 8 160 High WEIR 10 - 20 kW 20 6 120 High WEIR 10 - 20 kW 20 1 20 WEIR 0 - 10 kW 10 6 60 High WATERFALL 0 - 10 kW 10 3 30 High WEIR 0 - 10 kW 10 5 50 High UNKNOWN 0 - 10 kW 10 2 20 High WEIR 0 - 10 kW 10 3 30 Medium WEIR 0 - 10 kW 10 14 140 WATERFALL 0 - 10 kW 10 4 40 WEIR 0 - 10 kW 10 1 10 MILL 0 - 10 kW 10 1 10

Total 7460 83 7460 Medium Constraint 30 3 30 High Constraint 7210 60 7210 Constraint N/A 220 20 220 Source: https://data.gov.uk/dataset/potential-sites-of-hydropower-opportunity

All identified hydropower resource opportunities are sub-local authority (between 50kw and 5MW) or micro (below 50kw) level and therefore fall outside the scope of this strategic assessment.

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4.8 Heat opportunities mapping (Sheet G)

This component considers some of the issues associated with mapping opportunities for the utilisation on new development sites of renewable heat via a District Heat Network.

A 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. The practicalities for building owners are limited: the heat exchanger in each building is controlled and operated in the same way as a gas boiler it replaces, and buildings can retain a conventional distribution system, such as radiators.

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

This approach is sometimes referred to as “trigeneration” or Combined Cooling Heat and Power (C(C)HP). 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 when 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 CO2 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.

For the above reason this section outlines the process for “heat opportunities mapping” and the development of an energy opportunities plan which is most relevant to sieving and allocating sites for development.

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 anchor heat loads [AHLs]  What and where are the key anchor ‘heat’ loads in the WCBC local authority area?

Identifying off gas areas [OGAs]

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 Where are the areas not served by the gas mains network in the WCBC local authority area?

Mapping residential heat demand and density  What is the residential heat demand and density for the WCBC local authority area?

Identifying areas of high fuel poverty  Where are the areas of fuel poverty in the WCBC local authority area?

Identifying existing DH & CHP schemes and sources of waste heat  Where are the existing district heating and combined heat and power schemes and sources of waste heat in the WCBC local authority area?

Identifying the location of strategic new development sites  Where are the proposed strategic development sites in the WCBC local authority area?

Developing an Energy Opportunities Plan for DHNs  What is the nature of new development on proposed strategic sites in the WCBC local authority area?  What is the energy opportunities plan for an area / site in the WCBC local authority area?

Background to Heat Opportunities Mapping

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)  It is useful to know the energy densities of particular areas. New LZC technology installations are more likely to be economically viable in areas of high density 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.  A report for BEIS (formerly DECC24) suggests that DHNs are not feasible unless a heat demand is present of at least 3MW/km2.

Step 1: Establish geographic location and types of property within the study area

24 The Potential and Costs of District Heating Networks; A Report to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, April 2009 Page 35 of 62

Mapping residential heat demand and density

Clusters of offices and social housing can be established as a potential heat demand in their own right. A report for DECC suggests that DHNs are not feasible unless a heat demand is present of at least 3MW/km2. ‘Density’ of heat demand refers to kilo Watt 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 [dwellings providing evening, weekend and night time energy demands as opposed to the normal weekday energy demands of commercial organisations]  The identification of opportunities relating to social housing providers who are often tasked with achieving greater than the minimum environmental performance standards.

Lower Level Super Output Areas (LLSOA) were sieved for those that had a heat density25 that would be considered sufficient for viable connection (>3MW/km2) to district heating networks.

The following proposed large allocations (100 dwellings or >1ha) are in areas where the LSOA had a heat density viable for DHN, these will be taken forward to the next steps;

 WR20CS (Lower Berse Farm Key Strategic Site)  WR004AS (Bryn Estyn Lane)  WR003AS (Stantsy Fields)  CH02OS (Chirk)  Bridge Street (Wrexham)  Wrexham Industrial Estate Extension (30ha)

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 utilising heat. It is known as an ‘anchor’ load because further opportunities may arise for connecting nearby buildings to the original anchor load.

A ‘point load’ therefore refers to a non-residential energy demand that can act as a base for a District Heating (DH) schemes. 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 CO2 emissions

The identification of PLs and clusters requires the mapping of:

25 BEIS (formerly DECC) energy consumption data Page 36 of 62

 Buildings owned by organisations with corporate climate change mitigation policies and an active commitment to reducing their carbon footprint: this more often than not, but not always, means the public sector;  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 new development rather than retro-fitting (this is covered under “energy demand from proposed development and infrastructure).  Social housing schemes. These organisations are often tasked with achieving greater than the minimum environmental performance standards. 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 are required in order for 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 LAs and the public sector in general for driving the climate change mitigation agenda, AHLs 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.

It should be noted that UK competition rules means that householders can change their energy supplier by giving 28 days notice. This is also the same for social housing tenants and, if required to do so, the developer of the scheme would be obliged to offer alternative energy suppliers access to the DH network in exchange for a fee. The DH provider retains the clients it needs to financially support the scheme by undercutting the prices of potential competitors.

The identification of AHL’s follows the methodology set out in Sheet G of the toolkit. A boundary of 0.5km and 1km was drawn around the strategic sites identified above. Within these boundaries potential AHL’s have been identified.

Key anchor heat loads at major sites

KSS1: Land at Lower Berse Farm, Ruthin Road Wrexham

Building Address Annual Heat Annual Gross Building Heat Electricity Consumption Electricity Internal Benchmark/ Demand Consumption (if available) Consumption Floor Use‐class Benchmark Benchmark [kWh/yr] (if available) Area [m2] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr]

Morrisons 6,570 Retail 361,350 1,552,163

Moneypenny 5,005 Office 480,480 475,475 Archimedes Centre 3,224 Office 309,504 306,280 Cambria House Office Page 37 of 62

3,239 310,944 307,705 Croesnewydd Hall 540 Office 51,840 51,300

Sensor House 443 Office 42,528 42,085 Grote International 1,049 Office 100,704 99,655

Clywydian House 256 Office 24,576 24,320

Birchall House 234 Office 22,464 22,230

Gwenfro Units 943 Office 90,528 89,585

Edison Court 1,355 Office 130,080 128,725

Chesney Court 1,719 Office 165,024 163,305 Wrexham Maelor Hospital 42,266,105 Hospitals 33,812,884 ‐

Village Bakery 868 Workshop 118,048 30,380

RAFA Club 220 Leisure 65,853 23,742

Spice Lounge 461 Restaurant 96,964 70,110

Clywedog School 11,800 Schools 1,416,000 472,000

Coleg Cambria 8,700 Schools 1,044,000 348,000 Bersham Soc Club 507 Leisure 151,762 54,714 Public Bersham buildings, Museum 450 Cultural 60,600 24,000 Booker Cash & Carry 3,786 Retail 208,230 894,443

Magnet 1,908 Retail 104,940 450,765 Felin Puleston Units (Combined) 1,590 Workshop 216,240 55,650

Victoria School 3,200 Schools 384,000 128,000

Speedy Garage 540 Workshop 73,440 18,900 Phoenix Healthcare 5,545 Workshop 754,120 194,075

ATS Tyres 503 Workshop 68,408 17,605 Ramada Hotel (estimate) 6,200 Hotel 1,636,800 651,000

Inland Revenue 4,370 Office 419,520 415,150

Kingsway House 500 Office 48,000 47,500 Page 38 of 62

Pembroke House 500 Office 48,000 47,500 Yale Business Village 4,377 Office 420,192 415,815

Nyquest House 232 Office 22,272 22,040

Bromfield House 866 Office 83,136 82,270

Probation Service 608 Office 58,368 57,760 WCBC Ruthin Road 2,000 Office 192,000 190,000 WCBC Ruthin Road Depot 7,300 Workshop 992,800 255,500

Aldi 1,500 Retail 82,500 354,375 Central Retail Park 5,093 Retail 280,115 1,203,221 Coleg Cambria Workshop 3,500 Workshop 476,000 122,500 Clywedog Sports Hall and Pool 1,700 Leisure 508,867 183,458 Moneypenny LL13 7YT Elice Way 1,300 Office 124,800 123,500

Unit G LL13 7YL 900 Office 86,400 85,500

Unit K2 LL13 7YL 200 Office 19,200 19,000

Unit K LL13 7YL 200 Office 19,200 19,000

Willow House 800 Office 76,800 76,000 St Andrews House 550 Office 52,800 52,250 Gladman Buildings 800 Office 76,800 76,000 Unit 10‐11 Edison Court 1,500 Office 144,000 142,500 Breast Test Wales 300 Office 28,800 28,500 TY POWYS NURSES HOME 150 Hospitals 50,400 13,500 GLAN AFON NURSES HOME 150 Hospitals 50,400 13,500 RHYD BROUGHTON VETERINARY GROUP 700 Office 67,200 66,500 BROUGHTON HALL NURSING HOME 900 Hospitals 302,400 81,000 FERNDALE HOME & GARDEN 150 Retail 8,250 35,438 Page 39 of 62

CENTRE CAEGO DAY NURSERY 150 Schools 18,000 6,000 C T M WHOLESALE LTD 6,741 Workshop 916,776 235,935

HUWS GRAY LTD 2,163 Workshop 294,168 75,705 CHARLES OWEN & CO (BOW) LTD 7,342 Workshop 998,512 256,970

Dickens Garage 1,515 Retail 83,325 357,919

Travelodge 1,300 Hotel 343,200 136,500 Rhostyllen Service Centre 150 Retail 8,250 35,438 Griffiths Tool Hire 1,180 Workshop 160,480 41,300

Wrexham DAF 1,384 Workshop 188,224 48,440 RHOSTYLLEN PRIMARY SCHOOL 920 Schools 110,400 36,800

Please Select ‐ ‐

TOTAL 50,162,866 12,156,494

KSS2: Land off Holt New Road, Wrexham

Building Address Annual Heat Annual Gross Building Heat Electricity Consumption Electricity Internal Benchmark/ Demand Consumption (if available) Consumption Floor Use‐class Benchmark Benchmark [kWh/yr] (if available) Area [m2] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr] Hansons Bagging Plant 860 Workshop 116,960 30,100

Hansons Office 142 Office 13,632 13,490 Wrexham Golf Course Club House 1,047 Leisure 313,402 112,989

Rhosnesni High 11,000 Schools 1,320,000 440,000

Jaeger House 534 Office 51,264 50,730 Ysgol Morgan Llwyd 14,500 Schools 1,740,000 580,000 Plas Rhosnesni Care Home 2,200 Mixed 387,200 145,750 Caia Park Comm Centre 144 Office 13,824 13,680

PHS Supplies 1,497 Office 143,712 142,215 Hafod Y Wern Schools Page 40 of 62

School 2,900 348,000 116,000 St Annes Primary School 300 Schools 36,000 12,000 Caia Park Health Centre 1,200 Office 115,200 114,000 Ysgol Morgan Llwyd ‐ Sports Hall 1,500 Leisure 449,000 161,875 Rhosnesni High ‐ Sports hall and swimming pool 1,500 Leisure 449,000 161,875

Borras Shops 1,000 Retail 55,000 236,250 Borras Park Schools 2,400 Schools 288,000 96,000 Unit 13 Queensway 3,979 Workshop 541,144 139,265

Fibrax 5,341 Workshop 726,376 186,935 Gwenfro Infants School 1,700 Schools 204,000 68,000 Wrexham Rugby Club 540 Leisure 161,640 58,275 Bryn Estyn Business Centre 800 Office 76,800 76,000 Nightengale House 285 Retail 15,675 67,331

Cliftons 276 Retail 15,180 65,205

Rays and Café 160 Retail 8,800 37,800

TOTAL 7,589,809 3,125,765

Land adjoining Mold Road/A483, Wrexham

Building Address Annual Heat Annual Gross Building Heat Electricity Consumption Electricity Internal Benchmark/ Demand Consumption (if available) Consumption Floor Use‐class Benchmark Benchmark [kWh/yr] (if available) Area [m2] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr]

Sainsbury 7,725 Retail 424,875 1,825,031

Homebase 4,577 Retail 251,735 1,081,316 North Wales Tennis Centre 4,800 Leisure 1,436,800 518,000

Aldi 1,449 Retail 79,695 342,326 Leisure, entertainment, DW Fitness 2,698 sports 1,251,872 438,425

Page 41 of 62

Plas Coch Primary School 1,300 Schools 156,000 52,000

Curry's 2,200 Retail 121,000 519,750

Sports Direct 1,000 Retail 55,000 236,250

Boots 1,200 Retail 66,000 283,500

Pets at Home 1,200 Retail 66,000 283,500

TK Maxx 1,000 Retail 55,000 236,250

Argos 1,214 Retail 66,770 286,808

B&Q 2,700 Retail 148,500 637,875

Carpet Right 704 Retail 38,720 166,320

Screwfix 815 Retail 44,825 192,544

Allied Carpets 861 Retail 47,355 203,411 Glyndwr University Student Accom 5,760 Mixed 1,013,760 381,600 Glyndwr University 35,000 Schools 4,200,000 1,400,000

Total Fitness 5,342 Leisure 1,599,039 576,491 Wats Dyke Primary School 1,200 Schools 144,000 48,000 Archimedes Centre 3,224 Office 309,504 306,280

Cambria House 3,239 Office 310,944 307,705 Croesnewydd Hall 540 Office 51,840 51,300

Sensor House 443 Office 42,528 42,085 Grote International 1,049 Office 100,704 99,655

Clwydian House 256 Office 24,576 24,320

Birchall House 234 Office 22,464 22,230

Gwenfro Units 943 Office 90,528 89,585

Edison Court 1,355 Office 130,080 128,725

Chesney Court 1,719 Office 165,024 163,305 Ramada Hotel (estimate) 6,200 Hotel 1,636,800 651,000 Inland Revenue Office Page 42 of 62

4,370 419,520 415,150

Kingsway House 500 Office 48,000 47,500

Pembroke House 500 Office 48,000 47,500 Yale Business Village 4,377 Office 420,192 415,815

Nyquest House 232 Office 22,272 22,040

Bromfield House 866 Office 83,136 82,270

Probation Service 608 Office 58,368 57,760 Countrywide stores 1,235 Office 118,560 117,325

Jewsons 6,419 Retail 353,045 1,516,489 Pendine Park Nursing Home 10,000 Mixed 1,760,000 662,500 Volkswagon ‐ Rhosddu IE 2,539 Workshop 345,304 88,865

Enterprise 118 Workshop 16,048 4,130

Unit 6c workshop 297 Workshop 40,392 10,395

Unit 1 108 Workshop 14,688 3,780

Rhosddu Carpets 1,912 Retail 105,160 451,710

Heritage House 200 Office 19,200 19,000

Unit C Gym 217 Leisure 64,955 23,418 Nibbs Office Supplies 601 Office 57,696 57,095

Unit 1 408 Workshop 55,488 14,280

Unit 2 458 Workshop 62,288 16,030

Toolpak 2,235 Workshop 303,960 78,225 Enterprise Buildings 348 Office 33,408 33,060

1‐4 Alyn Court 1,211 Office 116,256 115,045 Discount Domestics 1,553 Workshop 211,208 54,355 Unit 10 Clwyd Court 2 158 Workshop 21,488 5,530 Unit 14a Clwyd Court 2 120 Workshop 16,320 4,200 Unit 18 Clwyd Court 2 357 Workshop 48,552 12,495 Unit 14 Clwyd Workshop Page 43 of 62

Court 2 77 10,472 2,695 Unit 4 Mountain View 94 Workshop 12,784 3,290

Acorn Furniture 96 Workshop 13,056 3,360

Unit B Remoulds 228 Workshop 31,008 7,980 Unit 21 Mountain View 433 Workshop 58,888 15,155 Unit 5 Mountain View 93 Workshop 12,648 3,255 Unit E Rhosddu IE 203 Workshop 27,608 7,105 Unit 41B Rhosddu IE 232 Workshop 31,552 8,120

Unit A Remoulds 646 Workshop 87,856 22,610 Unit G Rhosddu IE 1,351 Workshop 183,736 47,285 Unit 61 Rhosddu IE 121 Workshop 16,456 4,235 Unit 51 Rhosddu IE 1,606 Workshop 218,416 56,210 Unit 41a Rhosddu IE 381 Workshop 51,816 13,335

Securicor 896 Office 86,016 85,120

White Arrow 2,283 Workshop 310,488 79,905

Cable Services 1,715 Workshop 233,240 60,025 Unit D Rhosddu IE 227 Workshop 30,872 7,945 Unit 5 Clwyd Court 2 141 Workshop 19,176 4,935 Unit 6‐7 Clwyd Court 2 381 Workshop 51,816 13,335 Unit 9‐15 Clwyd Court 2 994 Workshop 135,184 34,790 Unit 9‐15 Clwyd Court 1 1,212 Workshop 164,832 42,420

Power House 354 Workshop 48,144 12,390 Unit 31 Rhosddu IE 210 Workshop 28,560 7,350 Meadows View Rhosddu IE 2,685 Workshop 365,160 93,975 Unit 2 mountain view 87 Workshop 11,832 3,045

TOTAL 21,257,058 16,611,419

Land off B5070, Chirk

Page 44 of 62

Building Address Annual Heat Annual Gross Building Heat Electricity Consumption Electricity Internal Benchmark/ Demand Consumption (if available) Consumption Floor Use‐class Benchmark Benchmark [kWh/yr] (if available) Area [m2] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr]

Kronospan 112,890 Workshop 15,353,040 3,951,150

Co‐op 200 Retail 11,000 47,250 CHIRK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL 1,141,907 Please Select 913,526 ‐ Chirk Leisure Centre 1,340 Leisure 401,107 144,608 Public buildings, Chirk Library 260 Cultural 35,013 13,867

YSGOL Y WAUN 1,440 Schools 172,800 57,600 YSGOL Y WAUN INFANTS 1,190 Schools 142,800 47,600 CHIRK COURT CARE HOME 840 Mixed 147,840 55,650

TOTAL 17,177,126 4,317,725

WIE Extension* (Major Landholders Only)

Building Address Annual Heat Annual Gross Building Heat Electricity Consumption Electricity Internal Benchmark/ Demand Consumption (if available) Consumption Floor Use‐class Benchmark Benchmark [kWh/yr] (if available) Area [m2] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr]

Kellogs 68,275 Workshop 9,285,400 2,389,625

TDG 68,686 Workshop 9,341,296 2,404,010

JCB 44,415 Workshop 6,040,440 1,554,525 CP Pharmaceutical 19,293 Workshop 2,623,848 675,255 COVERIS ADVANCED COATINGS LTD 6,934 Workshop 943,024 242,690 Unit 1 Abenbury Way 7,150 Workshop 972,400 250,250 IMPERIAL MACHINE CO LTD 6,359 Workshop 864,824 222,565

ROWAN FOODS 12,791 Workshop 1,739,576 447,685 Unit 3 Abenbury Way 7,468 Workshop 1,015,648 261,380 CAPARO WIRE LTD 8,224 Workshop 1,118,464 287,840 Page 45 of 62

CTYEC Unit 2 Abenbury Wat 7,400 Workshop 1,006,400 259,000 HAUCK FUN FOR KIDS LTD 7,500 Workshop 1,020,000 262,500 NORISH FOODCARE 9,248 Workshop 1,257,728 323,680 HOYA LENS UK LTD 8,609 Workshop 1,170,824 301,315

DEMON TWEEKS 7,663 Retail 421,465 1,810,384 C M S WREXHAM LTD 1,400 Office 134,400 133,000

M & J SERVICES 1,100 Office 105,600 104,500

ESTEBAN UK LTD 6,870 Workshop 934,320 240,450 PLAYFORD PACKAGING CO 8,224 Workshop 1,118,464 287,840

Anyalla Chicks 7,366 Workshop 1,001,776 257,810 WREXHAM SELF STORAGE LTD 4,300 Workshop 584,800 150,500

Isringhausen 520 Office 49,920 49,400 Blackwood Business Park 641 Office 61,536 60,895

Oakwood House 301 Office 28,896 28,595 Redwither Towers 27,000 Office 2,592,000 2,565,000

TOTAL 45,433,049 15,570,694

Bridge Street (Major Landholdings Only)

Building Address Annual Heat Annual Gross Building Heat Electricity Consumption Electricity Internal Benchmark/ Demand Consumption (if available) Consumption Floor Use‐class Benchmark Benchmark [kWh/yr] (if available) Area [m2] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr] [kWh/yr]

Lidl 1,749 Retail 96,195 413,201

Matalan 2,825 Retail 155,375 667,406 St Giles Primary School 2,400 Schools 288,000 96,000

Halfords 1,018 Retail 55,990 240,503

Colour Supplies 1,445 Retail 79,475 341,381

Europarts 740 Retail 40,700 174,825

Victoria School 3,400 Schools 408,000 136,000 Page 46 of 62

Eagles Meadow 34,000 Retail 1,870,000 8,032,500 Leisure, entertainment, Mecca Bingo 2,483 sports 1,152,112 403,488

Tesco 7,329 Retail 403,095 1,731,476 Leisure, entertainment, Liquid and Envy 1,380 sports 640,320 224,250

Lambpit Offices 6,698 Office 643,008 636,310 Leisure, entertainment, Simply Gym 1,861 sports 863,504 302,413

Home Bargains 1,449 Retail 79,695 342,326

Island Green 9,994 Retail 549,670 2,361,083

Wrexham Foyer 362 Mixed 63,712 23,983 Border Retail Park 6,473 Retail 356,015 1,529,246

Asda 8,040 Retail 442,200 1,899,450 Alexandras School 2,000 Schools 240,000 80,000

Coleg Cambria 20,000 Schools 2,400,000 800,000 Wrexham Maelor Hospital 42,266,105 Hospitals 33,812,884 ‐

Morrisons 6,570 Retail 361,350 1,552,163

Village Bakery 868 Workshop 118,048 30,380

RAFA Club 220 Restaurant 46,273 33,458

Spice Lounge 461 Restaurant 96,964 70,110 Phoenix Healthcare 5,545 Workshop 754,120 194,075

ATS Tyres 503 Workshop 68,408 17,605 Central Retail Park 5,093 Retail 280,115 1,203,221

TOTAL 46,365,228 23,536,853

Identifying areas of high fuel poverty

Page 47 of 62

Fuel poverty is a key concern of national governments and LAs’ alike. Often, it is those living in rural parts of the country 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 urban 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 oil. 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 cost 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 the installation of a renewable energy technology is considered in such locations the economic payback and the potential CO2 reductions are proportionately better than when considered against natural gas.

Fuel poverty is mapped in figure 4.7 and gas connections in Fig 4.8. The inclusion of an analysis of fuel poverty in this REA will hopefully add value by assisting WCBC in its targeting of resources to address fuel poverty. This REA might also be integrated with other tools to assess potentially effective ways of addressing the issue.

Fig 4.7: Fuel Poverty Map26

26 http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/energy/fuelpoverty/local-fuel-poverty-maps-for-wales/north-wales- fuel-poverty-maps/?lang=en Page 48 of 62

Fig 4.8: Gas Connections Map27

Identifying existing DH & 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 will also be included in the assessment of current proportion of area wide targets being met.

The identification of existing CHP of any size has been achieved through analysis of the Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) register and through discussion with relevant LA officers (energy & planning). The extensive nature of DH schemes, and industries which generate large amounts of waste heat, meant that LPA officers held the details of those existing DH schemes in the area. These are shown in table 4.13.

Table 4.13: Existing District Heat, CHP or sources of waste heat for Wrexham County Borough Council LZC Energy Name LZC Fuel Source Capacity MW Technology Tesco Cefn Mawr CHP 0.29 Total

The utilisation of current sources of waste heat can provide opportunities to improve fuel efficiency and secure CO2 emission reductions. Extending existing infrastructure to additional users can increase viability of a particular scheme.

27 http://www.energyefficiencywales.org.uk/targetwales.php?mopt=1&pid=gas_areamap&step=2®ion=22 Page 49 of 62

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 WCBC strategic sites for new development, creates an ‘Energy Opportunities Plan’.

The method used to develop the ‘Energy Opportunities Plan’ is as detailed in Renewable energy: A toolkit for planners’. These heat maps clearly show the strategic new development sites, and other opportunities, such as potential anchor heat loads, either within or in close proximity to each other. Heat opportunity plans for each of the strategic sites are illustrated below.

Summary of heat opportunities

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

 Lower Berse Farm  Holt Road  Stansty/Mold Road  Chirk  WIE Extension  Bridge Street

Lower Berse Farm (DHN opportunity)

Key Opportunities  The site itself is unlikely to generate sufficient heat density alone to make DHN viable, however its close proximity to anchor heat loads, often in public or single ownership, at Western Gateway Business Park, Clywedog School, Wrexham Technology Park, Ramada Hotel, WCBC Offices and Depot, Maelor Hospital and proximal retail may present opportunities to support an energy centre serving a wider area;  Brynyffynnon LSOA experiences fuel poverty.

Potential DHN extent Lower Berse Farm itself is set to contain mainly residential development, which could use community heating. An energy centre could be located within the site or on adjacent Western Gateway Business Park. A heat main running along Ruthin Road and Croesnewydd road could reach a heat dense business Park (Western Gateway), school (Clywedog), WCBC Council offices, retail areas (Aldi and Morrisons) and adjoining social housing. Extending the network could further along Croesnewydd Road could link with Wrexham Technology Park and the Maelor Hospital.

Holt Road (DHN opportunity)

Key Opportunities  Holt Road itself is unlikely to generate sufficient heat density alone to make DHN viable, however its close proximity to anchor heat loads, often in public or single ownership, at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Rhosnesni High (with associated sports facilities) and other retail/commercial/care home uses may present opportunities to support an energy centre serving a wider area;  Cartrefle LSOA experiences fuel poverty.

Potential DHN extent Page 50 of 62

Holt Road itself is set to contain mainly residential development, which could use community heating. An energy centre could be located within the site. A heat main running across Cefn Road could link with Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, adjacent social housing area and further beyond to Rhosnesni High.

Stansty/Mold Road (DHN opportunity)

Key Opportunities  This site is adjacent to a retail park (with gym), University campus (with accommodation), Wrexham Technology Park, primary schools and light employment park uses may present opportunities to support an energy centre serving a wider area.

Potential DHN extent Stantsy/Mold Road itself is set to contain mainly residential development, which could use community heating to meet heating demands. Adjacent, though the other side of the A483 trunk road, are heat dense users in the retail park and university, the site could provide the load balance needed to make a scheme viable.

Chirk

Key Opportunities  The allocated site in Chirk is unlikely to generate sufficient heat density alone to make DHN viable, however its close proximity to anchor heat loads at Kronospan and Chirk Community hospital and leisure centre uses may present opportunities to support an energy centre serving a wider area.  Chirk (North and South) LSOA have moderate fuel poverty deprivation.

Potential DHN extent The allocated Chirk site is set to contain mainly residential development, which could use community heating to meet heating demands. Adjacent are heat dense users, Kronospan (owners of the allocated site), hospital and leisure centre (in public ownership), the site could provide the load balance needed to make a scheme viable.

WIE Extension

Key Opportunities  Adjacent to the extension site is Wrexham Industrial estate with a number of dense energy users that could potentially be utilised  A relatively small number of land owners account for a significant share of the land which will assist collective action  Permission has recently been granted for a Gas Power Station which may generate excess heat that could be utilised

Potential DHN extent The extension land itself could contain an energy centre to support users within close proximity. The energy consumption figures quoted above are generic and may not reflect accurate usage or loads, further detailed work would be required to more accurately understand actual users energy use and the potential for an energy centre.

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Bridge Street

Key Opportunities  This is a relatively high density mixed use development that could create a dense energy use that may be viable on its own merits (>8MW/km2)  The town centre location in proximity to other high energy users may help viability by extending the system elsewhere

Potential DHN extent The site could accommodate an energy centre serving the proposed use of residential and mixed use commercial but also a wider area incorporating retail, student accommodation, leisure and residential.

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4.9 Building Integrated Renewables (BIR) (Sheet H)

The 2015 Toolkit update no longer recommended that the method set out in this project sheet is used to quantify the level of BiR uptake. For ease a simplified method, set out in section E2 of the Toolkit is used, this takes an active template that scales the uptake results from Pembrokeshire on a pro-rata basis depending on the level of existing and projected new build development in the area.

The level of future housing is taken from the housing growth planned in the LDP, 7525 dwellings 501p.a.

The quantity of non-residential development is a difficult figure to quantify. The LDP makes provision for hectares and Employment land studies measure hectares but to assess BiR potential its gross internal floor-space that is important. The most robust approach was to use evidence from the Employment Land Review (BE Group: 2015)28, and the LDP requirement of 45ha to deliver 7200 jobs. The ELR estimates that 1ha provides 3400m2 of floorspace29, with 45ha required in the LDP this equates to 153,000m2 over the 15 year plan period. Therefore the annual new build is 10,200m2 p.a.

The number of existing dwellings is taken from the 2011 Census. The amount of existing BiR is taken from Sheet A.

Table 4.14: BiR Electricity Capacity

Row Units no. 1 Existing dwellings and non-residential buildings 2 No. of existing dwellings in Pembrokeshire 55,592

3 No. of existing dwellings in your LA 59,005 4 EDR 1.06 5 Predicted RE electricity capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020 4.2 MWe 6 Predicted RE electricity capacity for your LA by 2020 4.5 MWe 7 Future dwellings No. of average net annual completions assumed for 8 585 Pembrokeshire 9 No. of average net annual completions planned for your LA 501 10 NDR 0.86 11 Predicted RE electricity capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020 4.3 MWe 12 Predicted RE electricity capacity for your LA by 2020 3.7 MWe 13 Future non-residential buildings Future new non-residential average annual new floor area m2 14 56,000 assumed for Pembrokeshire by 2020 GIFA Future new non-residential average annual new floor area m2 15 estimated for your LA by 2020 10,200 GIFA 16 FNR 0.2

28 http://wrexhamldp.wrexham.gov.uk/portal 29 ELR 2015, page 265 Page 53 of 62

17 Predicted RE electricity capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020 10.6 MWe 18 Predicted RE electricity capacity for your LA by 2020 1.9 MWe TOTALS Total predicted new BIR RE electricity capacity for your 19 10.1 MWe LA by 2020 20 Existing BIR RE electricity capacity in your LA 16.976 MWe Total predicted new and existing BIR RE electricity 21 27.0 MWe capacity for your LA by 2020

Table 4.15: BiR Heat Capacity

Row Units no. 1 Existing dwellings and non-residential buildings 2 No. of existing dwellings in Pembrokeshire 55,592

3 No. of existing dwellings in your LA 59,005 4 Calculate EDR 1.06 5 Predicted RE heat capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020 9.9 MWt 6 Predicted RE heat capacity for your LA by 2020 10.5 MWt 7 Future dwellings No. of average net annual completions assumed for 8 585 Pembrokeshire 9 No. of average net annual completions planned for your LA 501 10 Calculate NDR 0.9 11 Predicted RE heat capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020 4.3 MWt 12 Predicted RE heat capacity for your LA by 2020 3.7 MWt 13 Future non-residential buildings Future new non-residential average annual new floor area m2 14 56,000 assumed for Pembrokeshire by 2020 GIFA Future new non-residential average annual new floor area m2 15 estimated for your LA by 2020 10,200 GIFA 16 Calculate FNR 0.18 17 Predicted RE heat capacity for Pembrokeshire by 2020 1.23 MWt 18 Predicted RE heat capacity for your LA by 2020 0.2 MWt TOTALS Total predicted new BIR RE heat capacity for your LA by 19 14.4 MWt 2020

20 Existing BIR RE heat capacity in your LA 0.64 MWt

Total predicted new and existing BIR RE heat capacity 21 15.1 MWt for your LA by 2020

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4.10 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Farm Resource (Sheet K)

Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells / panels generate renewable electricity from the direct conversion of solar irradiation. PV is recognised as one of the key technologies in helping to meet the UK target of 15% renewable energy from final consumption by 2020.

As a relatively new phenomenon there is no standard agreed approach to constraints mapping for solar PV farms. This section follows the methodology from Project Sheet K of the REA Toolkit which sets out a process of constraints mapping and potential installed capacity estimation.

This methodology is only suitable for a strategic, high level assessment. Though the exercise may show that the locating of solar farms might be constrained in a particular area this does not mean that solar farms could not be located there in practice, for example, environmental constraints can be overcome. Therefore, the constraints maps should not be used to preclude solar development in constrained areas.

Similarly, although this high level process can inform the potential for individual sites, it is not in itself enough to fully assess their technical viability. It is not appropriate to consider all site level issues as part of this high level assessment of potential resource. Other more detailed steps ARE best assessed at the planning application stage for an individual site. Such activities might include:  landscape sensitivity analysis and cumulative impacts  proximity to public rights of way, bridle ways  impact on agricultural land quality grade 3a and 3b

There are also a range of other constraints which it has not been possible to assess in this study including; formal consultation with MoD and Civil Aviation Authority, practical access to sites and landowner willingness to support the development.

As with the analysis of the wind resource, the identification of potential sites for solar PV farms follows a series of steps as follows:

Step 1: Mapping Solar Resources Step 2: Mapping constraints to solar resources arising from statutory and non-statutory environmental and heritage designations Step 3: Connectivity to local grid

Following these steps we can identify areas of least constraint that can inform policy development.

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Step 1 - The performance of a photovoltaic panel system is directly related to the inclination, orientation and degree of shading of the panels. For the purposes of identifying the areas suitable for PV farm development, assumptions have been made on the suitability of slope gradient and orientation for PV deployment. All areas with inclinations 0-3o from the horizontal are assumed suitable and optimum (yellow), all south-west to south east facing areas are suitable where there are inclinations between 3-15o from the horizontal (blue) while all other areas are deemed unsuitable (white).

Map 1: Unconstrained Solar Resources

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Step 2 – Map environmental and historic constraints.

Statutory Designations  Special Protection Areas (SPA)  Special Area of Conservation (SAC)  RAMSAR sites  National Nature Reserves (NNR)  Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)  Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM)  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) plus a 3.5km buffer  World Heritage site and Buffer  Historic Landscapes

Non-Statutory Designations There are some significant areas of constraint associated with non-statutory designations including;  Special Landscape Areas (as reviewed for the LDP)  7km buffer around Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)  Green Wedges (as reviewed for the LDP)  Transport Infrastructure & Other Physical Constraints  Noise Buffer for Existing Residential Development  Other constraints (woodland, water, quarries)  Urban areas30  Grade 1 and 2 agricultural land31  C1 C2 Flood

At this stage of the assessment, land slivers and parcels of land insufficient to support a solar PV farm of 5MW or more (<2ha) are removed from the maps.

It was evident that parcels of land appeared to be unconstrained and suitable for solar energy but in reality have long term land uses that ruled them out for future consideration. Officer knowledge eliminated land at Borras Quarry/Wrexham Golf Club and Alyn Waters Country Park. Also land already used as solar farms have been removed from the solar resource maps.

30 Note that while urban areas have been excluded from this high level study, they may in fact provide suitable sites for such uses but this study has not considered urban solar farm capacity.

31 Note that currently grade 3a land is not accurately mapped but it is recognised that this would be a constraint to solar development Page 57 of 62

Map 2: Constraints

Map 3: Grade 1 and 2 agricultural land

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Step 3 - Solar PV farms require a connection to the grid to export the electricity. A key constraint to the development of solar PV farms can be the cost of connecting to the electricity grid. Similar to the approach taken in the development of TAN8, areas that are considered likely to be too distant (>10km) to connect to grid (33kV and 132kV) cost effectively are considered to be constrained.

Map 4: Grid (33kv) for the Ceiriog Valley

Similar to the exercise for wind resources, SP Networks grid maps demonstrate that connections from potential resources in the Ceiriog valley exceed 10km viability threshold, consequently all resources here have been discounted. Elsewhere resources are within 10km of the grid so connection distances may be viable.

Map 5 shows the remaining available land for solar PV development after combining maps 1 (showing suitable land inclination and orientation) and maps 2 (statutory and non-statutory constraints) with map 3 (agricultural land quality 1 and 2) as well as the removal of land parcels unlikely to be appropriate and land of insufficient size. The remaining land available for solar PV farms is referred to in the Wrexham County Borough Council Local Development Plan as Local Search Areas (LSA’s). This equates to 34.47km2 (0-3°) and 0.6676km2 (3-15° SW-SE).

LSAs are identified to encourage developers to further investigate potential of solar PV farms in these areas. However, LSAs will not safeguard for solar PV development but may prioritise such development where there are simultaneously competing interests.

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Map 5: Least Constrained Solar Resources

Assess Potential Installed Capacity and Energy Output

We now need to assess the potential installed capacity and energy output.

Maximum available solar PV farm resource The assumptions about the PV array are:  Rated output: 5MW

 Area of Land Required: circa 0.12km2

 A capacity factor (CF) of 0.1 has been assumed in order to assess the annual energy output of the potential installed capacity

Solar Resource Land Area Installed Capacity Capacity Factor Potential Capacity (MW) (MW)

0-3° 34.47km2 1436 0.1 143.6

3-15 SW-SE 0.6676km2 28 0.1 2.8

However it is recognised that, in reality, only a minor proportion of these sites will be able to be built out. This is because site specific issues such as land owner willingness, agricultural and quality, accessibility and landscape sensitivity will constrain capacity. Furthermore, as solar PV farms are developed, they effectively either prevent other sites situated close by from being developed or there is a need to avoid ‘cumulative impacts’, therefore the potential capacity figure above is hypothetical.

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5. Assessment Summary

In this section a summary table showing the potential electricity renewable resource available by 2028 has been produced. For each technology, the extent to which the maximum accessible resource can be delivered is likely to be determined by a combination of the following:  Technical maturity, covering both the extent to which new technologies prove to be viable, as well as the extent to which capital costs are expected to fall over time.  Commercial viability, driven by future energy prices, and levels of Government subsidy, financial incentives, and other support.  Extent of institutional and infrastructural support, covering the likelihood of securing planning consent (i.e. issues of political and social acceptability), as well as the availability of suitable grid infrastructure, transport infrastructure and so on.

Clearly, trying to predict the impact of these different variables is not a precise science, and trying to make such predictions will involve a combination of expert knowledge of the technologies and the policy context they operate in, together with detailed local knowledge of the local politics, infrastructure and projects in the pipeline.

With this in mind, the summary table sets out the maximum accessible resource, along with two lower scenarios, based on harnessing 75% and 50% of the accessible renewable energy resource.

Table 4.16: Resource Summary for Renewable Electricity, WCB

Potential Target Scenarios Current Installed Capacity Accessible Energy Technology Capacity Max (100%) High (75%) Low (50%) Factor Resource

MWe GWh/yr MWe GWh/yr MWe GWh/yr MWe GWh/yr MWe GWh/yr Onshore Wind 0.27 0 0.00 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.04 0.01 0.02 Biomass (Energy Crops) 0.9 7.5 59.1 0 0.0 7.5 59.1 5.63 44.3 3.75 29.6 Hydropower 0.37 7.46 24.2 0 0.0 7.46 24.2 5.60 18.1 3.73 12.1 Energy from Waste 0.9 4.69 37.0 0 0.0 4.69 37.0 3.52 27.7 2.35 18.5 Anaerobic Digestion 0.9 2.75 21.7 0 0.0 2.75 21.7 2.06 16.3 1.38 10.8 (animal and food) Landfill Gas 0.6 0 0 3.41 17.9 3.41 17.9 2.56 13.5 1.71 9.0 Sewage 0.42 0.3 1.104 1.17 4.3 1.47 5.41 1.10 4.06 0.74 2.7 BIR 0.1 27.90 24.4 16.98 14.9 44.9 39.3 33.7 29.5 22.44 19.7 Solar Farm 0.1 146.4 128.2 42.62 37.3 189.0 165.6 141.8 124.2 94.51 82.8 Total 197.0 295.8 64.2 74.5 261.2 370 195.9 277.7 130.6 185.1 Local Authority Projected electricity demand in 2028 1020 1020 1020 Percentage electricity demand in 2028 potential met by renewable energy resources 25.6 19.2 12.8

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6. Policy Implications

6.1 The REA was designed to help answer the policy options set out in section 3, there now follows a brief explanation for how this has occurred.

P2 Inform Site Allocations – Sites have been digitally mapped against solar constraints/opportunities maps developed within this REA. The candidate site assessment/SA assessment32, using the method described in the toolkit section P2, considered;

 Whether development could contribute positively in achieving carbon reductions from identified renewable resources by installing these technologies as part of the development; and  Whether residential development would compromise renewable resources due to proximity and disturbance and how significant the loss of this resource would be.

P3 Identify sites for stand-alone renewable energy development – PPW states that local authorities should facilitate local authority-wide scale renewable energy in development plans by undertaking an assessment of the opportunities and potential for renewable energy in the area. ‘Local authority wide scale’ is defined as onshore wind projects between 5 and 25 MW and between 5 and 50MW for all other technologies. This REA has identified biomass and solar as technologies with potential that fall within these thresholds.

Biomass, the likely scale of biomass plant arising from the resource will fall outside the scope of local authority wide scale development, but as the potential resource is only marginally below the 5MW threshold it is worth considering planning implications for this resource.

Solar, this assessment has identified solar resources that could support local authority wide scale development (5MW-50MW). These areas are the least constrained and should be used to inform LDP policy formation. However, while these areas have the fewest constraints this does not imply that all sites within the search areas would be suitable, a planning application would determine the suitability of proposals. Detailed matters of access, landowner willingness, landscape, cumulative impacts, agricultural land classification and other constraints as appropriate would be dealt with at planning stage.

P4 Identify opportunities and requirements for renewable or low carbon energy generation linked to strategic new build development sites and P5 Develop policy mechanisms to support District Heating Networks (DHN’s) for strategic new development sites. The REA has informed the creation of an Energy Opportunities Plan which is a key piece of evidence depicting a visual and spatial map of opportunities. It may be possible that the areas identified in the Energy Opportunities Plan could set a carbon reduction target, however detailed viability and technical assessments would be required to confirm whether this would represent an undue burden to a developer.

P6 Identify further actions for local authority, public sector and wider stakeholders – The evidence contained within this REA is accessible to other sections within the local authority, public sector, community and wider stakeholders to inform future renewable energy actions.

32 SA Assessment Page 62 of 62