The countdown to the full activation of the Coed-Ely Solar Farm is nearly over, with the site set to officially open later this month (September 2025). However, a major milestone has been reached even sooner: from today, the solar farm will begin supplying low-carbon electricity directly to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital (RGH).
This marks a new chapter in our Health Board’s sustainability journey, with clean energy now flowing to the hospital through a dedicated three-kilometre cable.
Taxpayers fund the Coed-Ely Solar Farm, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Extensive testing has been undertaken to ensure the hospital’s systems can safely receive and operate with the new energy source. The first test, conducted in July by the National Grid, was successfully passed, paving the way for gradual activation and monitoring at each stage.
All physical works at the Coed-Ely site are now complete, and the transition to solar energy will not cause any disruption at the hospital site. The switch-on process is being carefully managed in collaboration with RGH, with staff on standby during the first transmission to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Tracking the impact
While exact figures are still being finalised, the Health Board will be able to monitor how much energy is being supplied from day one. Each month we will receive detailed breakdowns of energy usage, helping track the solar farm’s contribution to the hospital’s power needs.
On peak summer days, the solar farm is expected to meet 100% of the hospital’s electricity demand, with an average annual contribution of 15% – a significant step toward our decarbonisation goals.
Claire Thompson, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation, said:
“This is a landmark moment for our Health Board and for the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. The switch-on of solar energy is more than just a technical achievement – it’s a symbol of our commitment to delivering healthcare in a sustainable, forward-thinking way.
“We’re proud to be part of a project that not only reduces our carbon footprint but also strengthens our partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Vital Energi. This is just the beginning of our journey toward a greener future.
A heartfelt thank you to all our colleagues whose dedication and hard work made this milestone possible.”
Read about our recent sustainability awards: https://ctmuhb.nhs.wales/news/latest-news/ctmuhb-wins-three-nhs-sustainability-awards/
Councillor Tina Leyshon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Youth Participation and Climate Change, said: “Today is an exciting day for both the solar farm and the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. This milestone sees all the hard work pay off as the Royal Glamorgan Hospital receives its first boost of power from the solar farm. This ambitious project is providing a unique opportunity to deliver green energy at a significant scale, feeding energy directly into the National Grid and supporting the energy security of our community and the UK.”
“By supplying the Royal Glamorgan Hospital with low-carbon electricity, we’re helping to reduce its carbon footprint, making the project even more beneficial and directly supplying our local NHS.”
Mark Williams, Partnerships Director, Vital Energi shared: “Seeing clean, low-carbon energy transmitted to Royal Glamorgan Hospital is more than just a technical achievement, it’s a demonstration of how the public sector can collaborate to achieve its net zero goals. This is another fantastic addition to Wales’s low-carbon energy infrastructure and one which will contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future for everyone.
“We’d like to congratulate Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council on a visionary scheme which created a template for collaboration which can be replicated throughout Wales and beyond.”
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