Species-rich planting was proposed alongside sheep grazing(Image: RWE Renewables UK)
A controversial “Butterfly solar farm” planned south of Wrexham City has been scrapped. Developer RWE Renewables UK cited “grid connection availability” as a reason for the decision.
The 99.9MW solar and battery storage scheme was to have been built adjacent to the A483 near Johnstown, with two further arrays near Royton and Plassey Holiday Park to the east. The three sections were to be linked by underground cabling, with a further connection running to the Legacy National Grid substation near Rhos.
From the outset, RWE had identified grid connections as one of the scheme’s key design challenges. By September 2025, two separate connection routes were under consideration.
In an email to local politician Ken Skates, RWE confirmed it had made the “regrettable” decision not to proceed. The email said: “Following a detailed review of grid connection availability and overall project viability, it has been concluded that the site cannot be advanced at this time.”
The 360-acre facility was named the “Butterfly” solar farm (Glöyn Byw in Welsh) due its biodiversity commitments. Its design was developed by RWE project manager Robin Johnson, a trained ecologist and wildlife conservationist.
The proposal included 39 acres of wildlife-friendly habitat, including wildflower meadows designed to boost local butterfly and bee populations. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
By incorporating beehives, bird nesting boxes and around 5km of new hedgerows, the project aimed for biodiversity gain of at least 50%. The site was to have been grazed by sheep.
Ironically, a major concern voiced by local people during last year’s consultations was the scheme’s potential threat to wildlife. Others included loss of farmland, traffic increases and proximity to people’s homes.
Mr Skates said: “Local people had expressed wide-ranging concerns about this project. Several local community councils – including Marchwiel, Ruabon, Erbistock & Eyton and Sesswick – had also objected to the project, so a lot of people will be breathing a huge sigh of relief.
“The vast majority of people I speak to are in favour of more of our energy coming from renewable sources, but there were so many issues raised about this particular scheme from the outset.”
RWE claimed the scheme would be capable of generating enough electricity for more than 34,775 homes.
The proposal also included a £1.5m community benefit fund, 3km of new permissive footpaths and more than £4.8m in business rates over the development’s 40-year lifetime.
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