Solar panels generating enough electricity to power more than 50 matchdays have been turned on at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The switch-on marks a key step in the Welsh Rugby Union’s decarbonisation plans as it prepares to unveil its first sustainability strategy later this year. 

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Over 3,250 solar panels, have been fitted to the Stadium’s iconic roof by EvoEnergy, the UK’s leading renewable company, making it the largest such installation at any sports stadium in the UK. 

The panels will significantly decarbonise Principality Stadium’s operations through the production of clean energy, generating an expected 1.25 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each a year ─ enough to host a packed matchday at the home of Welsh rugby every day for seven weeks.  

The panels are expected to reduce Principality Stadium’s carbon output by 219,791kg every single year, providing a substantial source of low-cost energy for the Welsh Rugby Union. 

The solar installation is part of a wider package of sustainability measures aimed at decarbonising Principality Stadium’s operations. The WRU is now developing a full-fledged sustainability strategy, which will draw on all of its current and future efforts to drive decarbonisation and broader societal change across the whole of Welsh rugby.  

Gavin Marshall, WRU Chief Financial and Operating Officer said, “This marks a hugely exciting milestone, not just for Principality Stadium, but for the future of Welsh rugby. As one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, it’s right that we harness its scale and influence to drive positive change, benefiting our game, our fans and the wider community.  

“While matchdays here will always be ignited by a sea of red jerseys, we’re proud that they will now be powered by clean green energy. Investing in innovative, sustainable energy solutions like solar is vital if we are to future-proof the stadium and play our part in creating a greener future.  

“We’re not only reducing our carbon footprint but also strengthening the financial sustainability of the Union through the money we will save, creating long-term value that can be reinvested into Welsh rugby at every level. 

“Through the publication of our sustainability strategy later this year, we’ll set out how initiatives like today’s contribute to a bold, practical plan to make Welsh rugby greener and more resilient for generations to come.”  

The solar installation sit alongside other measures, such as the introduction of a well water abstraction system (which ensures clean drinking water is not wasted on cleaning or watering needs), rain-water harvesting, installation of LED lighting throughout the stadium. There is also a commitment to sustainable food procurement and to working with local charities to ensure surplus food gets distributed within vulnerable communities  

The full sustainability strategy is set to be published later this year and will ensure sustainable practices sits at the heart of the WRU’s five-year One Wales corporate strategy. 

Darren Crossman, WRU Head of Facilities and Safety and Sustainability, adds, “As custodians of this iconic stadium, we have a responsibility to lead by example, and this solar installation is a significant technical and operational step forward. 

“This project is about more than generating renewable energy, it’s about embedding sustainability into the way the stadium operates day-to-day, reducing our environmental impact and creating a more efficient, resilient venue for the future. 

We’re proud to bring this expertise to life at Principality Stadium and marking this first step in shaping a future sustainability strategy for Welsh rugby. 

Diala Isid, Senior Renewable Energy Consultant at EvoEnergy, said, “We’re proud to have partnered with the Welsh Rugby Union to deliver a landmark solar PV system, reflecting a shared commitment to clean energy and a more sustainable future.”