SENIOR councillors in Caerphilly plan to make money by selling off a major solar farm project near Penyrheol.
The Cwm Ifor farm could reportedly generate up to 20 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power up to 6,000 homes.
The Welsh Government approved planning permission in May for the project, which owing to its scale is considered a “development of national significance”.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet members then agreed to sell the project at a private meeting in mid-September.
Deputy leader Cllr Jamie Pritchard, who is also the council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said “our mission was always to bring a financial return to the council and carbon reduction to help us meet our emissions target”.
He said money made from the project will “help us meet the challenges that we have to address” – the council is facing an estimated £45 million budget shortfall over the next two years.
Construction work on the solar farm is expected to start in April 2026.
The council said Savills has been appointed to manage the sale of the project.