A disused coal mine in Wales is to be transformed into a giant solar farm.

Conergy will build a solar project capable of producing enough electricity to power 2,400 homes at Hendai Farm in South Wales. It used to be a coal mine which was closed in the late 1970s.

The company will also construct a 4.5MW solar plant at Winnards Perch, located close to Newquay in Cornwall, which will generate enough electricity to power 800 homes.

The projects are expected to cut 200,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in total.

Robert Goss, MD of Conergy UK & Ireland said: “Coal powered Britain for over a hundred years and whole communities grew up around it. Solar is a simple technology, lasts for decades and can be deployed wherever people live.

“No one needs to get their hands dirty or risk their life so that others can turn on the dishwasher, which is why solar will continue to grow in the UK.”

Both the projects are expected to be completed by the end of the year.