April 11, 2008
Wales

Wind farm scheme near to fruition

A renewable energy company has reached agreement with the Welsh Assembly Government on an option to seek planning permission for a wind farm near Machynlleth.

Airtricity intends to work with local company Dulas Ltd to build the 100MW project on a rural, upland site at Nant-y-Moch.

It had previously been selected as preferred bidder for the site, which is owned by the Welsh Assembly Government and managed on its behalf by Forestry Commission Wales (FCW).

Work is to start on a detailed planning application for the project with the two partner companies pledging that there will be full local consultation.

Airtricity, which will lease the site from the Welsh Assembly Government, said it could not give details about the number or size of the turbines at this stage.

Gerry Burke, Wales and England manager for Airtricity, said: “We are very pleased that our proposal has been selected by FCW and that we have now signed the option agreement for the land with the Welsh Assembly Government.

“This project will help the Welsh Assembly Government to meet its renewable energy generation targets, and we also wish to ensure that it will benefit the local community.”

Mr Burke added that the company’s proposals at Nant-y-Moch will also include privately-owned land for which agreement has also been reached. That will increase the capacity of the wind farm to about 140MW.

Dulas director Ian Draisey said: “This is another step forward for the development of renewable energy in Wales and will help our country play its part in tackling the threat of climate change. We will now begin work on the preparation of vital information for the planning application.’’

By David R. Jones