May 15, 2020
Wales

Carnedd Wen wind farm plans withdrawn – but they may be back in the future

By Rory Sheehan | County Times | www.countytimes.co.uk

The withdrawal of long-running wind farm plans has been hailed by protesters.

Earlier this year, RWE innogy withdrew plans for a 50 turbine 150mw wind farm at Carnedd Wen, but has not ruled out resubmitting an application in the future.

On withdrawing the application, an RWE innogy spokesman said: “innogy has decided to withdraw its current application for the Carnedd Wen Wind Farm and Habitat Restoration Project.

“The onshore wind industry has seen many changes since the application was originally submitted in 2008 and innogy is keen to review its plans with a view to potentially resubmitting an application for a revised scheme to the Welsh Government in due course.”

Protestors have welcomed the withdrawal of the application but say they will oppose any future revised scheme.

Robert Harvey, press officer for Montgomeryshire against Pylons, said: “We warmly welcome the decision of RWE to withdraw their attempt to build a massive industrial part on the top of the beautiful Welsh peak of Carnedd Wen. They have clearly done so in the face of overwhelming opposition to the project and it is a great victory for the people of mid-Wales who rose up in protest.

“This giant petrified forest of steel turbines would have looked over the scenic A458, the main summer highway from the Midlands welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors across spectacular mid-Wales to the sea, and would have been built on a nearly 1,700 foot peak directly opposite the highest and one of the most spectacular mountains Aran Fawddw, nearly 3,000 feet high, in the south Snowdonia National Park.

“It seems incredible that this act of vandalism against some of the most spectacular scenery in mid Wales, enjoyed by millions from the Midlands, was ever contemplated. The initial decision of the then Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change to turn down the proposal has now been vindicated.

“Let NG (National Grid) go back to its job of providing reliable electricity from other carbon neutral energy sources without seeking to destroy the most beautiful landscapes in the United Kingdom.”

He added: “We also note that RWE is ‘considering’ submitting an application for much higher turbines in the same location to the Welsh government. Although the suggestion at present seems no more than a vague threat, we would strongly urge RWE not to do so, as higher turbines would be even more environmentally destructive, dwarf the spectacular scenery further and would require another massive planning appication and a completely new giant planning inquiry which would almost certainly go against the developers.

“We trust the Welsh Assembly Government is just as responsive to overwhelming public opinion in the area as the Westminster Government has shown itself to be.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/05/15/carnedd-wen-wind-farm-plans-withdrawn-but-they-may-be-back-in-the-future/