Welsh Labour blocks Tory farmland solar protection plan

The Welsh Labour government has voted down a Conservative motion that sought to halt the use of agricultural land for large-scale solar projects.

The motion, tabled by the Welsh Conservatives, called for a moratorium on solar projects on farmland, urging the government to develop a comprehensive solar strategy that balances renewable energy goals with the protection of Wales’s food security.

The debate in the Senedd on Wednesday (11 June) highlighted concerns over the impact of solar farms on fertile agricultural land.

Opponents argued that such developments threaten food production and rural livelihoods.

See also: UK-wide protests held against large-scale solar farms

Welsh Conservative shadow minister for environment, energy and rural affairs Janet Finch-Saunders stated that “hundreds of hectares of agricultural land will now be switched from a focus on food production to electricity generation”.

She pointed to specific projects, such as Enso Energy’s Alaw Môn solar farm in Ynys Môn, which spans 268ha of agricultural land in Anglesey, predominantly used for grazing.

Fellow Conservative Senedd member Peter Fox suggested that the Welsh government should look to use more obvious places for solar installations, such as rooftops and public buildings, rather than taking up farmland.

Plaid abstains

Plaid Cymru abstained from voting on the motion, with its leader, Rhun ap lorweth, raising concerns over its “lack of nuance” and “potential unintended consequences” for smaller solar projects on farms.

Labour Senedd members voted against the motion.

Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, defended the government’s position.

She said having a reliable and green source of energy is “crucial” and stressed the importance of solar energy in achieving Wales’s climate goals.

Ms Evans also highlighted the government’s commitment to protecting agricultural land, noting that planning policies give considerable weight to safeguarding grade 1, 2, and 3a land.

Call for a pause

Commenting after the debate, Ms Finch-Saunders said: “From Switzerland to Japan, measures are being taken in nations globally to see solar panels placed in innovative locations which do not hamper food production.

“The Welsh government needs to pause to put an ambitious plan in place for a solar revolution”.