Solar array 884/2025
FOI Reference: 884/2025
Request
I would like to see the financial Information relating to the planning application PL09719 - Solar Array.
(i) In particular the breakdown of the capital cost, (ii) an analysis of the potential cost savings/sales of electricity to the National Grid and time period, (iii) return on capital employed used by DPP if any, (iv) any cost/benefit analysis done and (v) the anticipated energy efficiency of the panels chosen.
Response Q (i)
Section 43(2) - Commercial Interests
“(2) Information is exempt information if its disclosure under this Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests of any person (including the public authority holding it).”
This is a qualified and class-based exemption. As a class-based exemption, legislators have already accepted the harm in release of this class of information. As a consequence, there is no requirement to evidence the harm in disclosing such information. However, as the exemption is a qualified exemption there is a requirement to apply the public interest test, as detailed below.
Public Interest Test:
Considerations Favouring Disclosure:
There is a requirement to provide to the general public a better understanding of how public funds are spent. One of the underlying principles of the Act is the need for openness and transparency, therefore to disclosure information relating to planning application PL09719 - Solar Array, which is currently at the pre-tender/tender stage in terms of any financial and performance assumptions quoted and scheme status, would provide better awareness to the general public that public funds are being spent appropriately, responsibly and that Forces negotiate the best contracts possible.
Considerations Favouring Non-Disclosure:
In this case, to release details relating to the cost breakdown at this stage, is likely to create an unfair advantage as we are in the tender process, therefore, there is a risk in issuing a cost breakdown at this stage, as it may be inappropriate and create an unfair advantage likely to prejudice commercial interests, by adversely affecting contractual negotiations of the tender process, which would result in the less effective use of public money. This would not only prejudice the commercial interests of the company/supplier but also that of Dyfed-Powys Police, as the release of this information may also affect the competitiveness of the contract which in turn would affect the relationship the force has with the company/supplier which could result in civil action from a third party.
The process and final solution will be determined by the final responses from tender, and the final solution being scrutinised from a final design perspective, the scheme will only progress pending planning being granted and governance approving the final business case.
Balancing Test:
When balancing the public interest test, we have to consider whether the information should be released into the public domain. Advantages and disadvantages of disclosure need to be weighed against each other. In this case there is the use of public funds favouring disclosure which needs to be weighed against the damage that would occur to any ongoing or future tender process and the commercial interests of third parties.
By releasing the requested information, the commercial interests of a business and individuals may be compromised including that of Dyfed-Powys Police, along with the relationship that Dyfed-Powys Police has with that company/supplier or persons. Therefore, the factor favouring non-disclosure, which is damage would occur to any future tender process and the commercial interests of third parties outweighs the factor favouring disclosure, which is better understanding of how public funds are spent.
As such, the public interest favours non-disclosure of the information at this time. Therefore, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Response Q(ii)
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below:-
It is calculated that around 88.2% of the energy generated by the proposed Solar Array will be used by the adjacent estate occupiers, with 11.8% energy surplus exported to the grid.
Export Revenue @ 10p/kWh £8,518
Response Q(iii)
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below:-
Project IRR 11.25%
Payback Period 8.8 Years
Year 1 ROI 10.11%
Response Q(iv)
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below:-
Project IRR 11.25%
Payback Period 8.8 Years
Year 1 ROI 10.11%
Installed Solar Capacity 638 kWp
Solar PV Annual Generation 592,245 kWh
Installed Battery Capacity 312.5/580 kW/kWh
Annual Energy Consumption (Pre Investment) 1,395,322 kWh
Annual Energy Consumption (Post Investment) 896,363 kWh
Import Reduction 498,959 kWh
Import Reduction (%) 35.76%
Year 1 Energy Savings £165,414
Year 1 Solar Export Revenue @ 10p/kWh £8,518
Annual Decarbonizing Reduction 136,832 kgCO2 p.a.
Response Q(v)
Efficiency/Performance Ratio designed to be achieved is below, the tendering providers and successful provider will need to reply and specify a system and technologies that answer or be more efficient that the specification provided accordingly.
| Production Forecast | |
| PV Generator Output | 638.12 kWp |
| Spec. Annual Yield | 953.76 kWh/kWp |
| Performance Ration (PR) | 90.41 % |
| Yield Reduction due to Shading | 1.9 % |
It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 24/09/2025)
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