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Wind Power News: Wales
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational mission to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law. The original articles, links to which are provided, may have additional links and photos and other media that were not included here.
Plans for wind farms could resurrect pylon line into Shropshire
A large scale wind farm proposed for Mid Wales could see pylons built across north Powys and Shropshire to connect the development to the National Grid. Craig Williams and Russell George, Welsh Conservative MP and Member of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire, have re-affirmed their opposition to any large large pylon infrastructure in Mid Wales, in response to several pre-application plans for wind farm development. They say they have serious concerns about the proposals which includes a site at Garn Fach . . . Complete story »
Get set for another fight against pylons
Montgomeryshire politicians are warning local residents that we may be facing another fight to stop large pylons after two new local wind farm applications were submitted. The issue was massive 10 years ago when the area galvanised to successfully fight plans for massive pylons that would have linked Montgomeryshire wind farms to the national grid. And it appears that we have another fight on our hands after Craig Williams MP, and Russell George, MS, reconfirmed their opposition to any large . . . Complete story »
Land to be bought for tree-planting to replace woodland lost to wind farms
More land for tree planting is to be bought by Wales’s environment body to compensate for woodland cut down for wind farms. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) chiefs have agreed to acquire sites totalling 260 hectares – the same area of woodland it manages on behalf of the Welsh Government which is expected to be lost to new renewable energy projects up to 2026. Buying the land and planting trees on it is expected to cost just over £8 million, and . . . Complete story »
Ceredigion proposed wind farm test mast given go-ahead
A mast to test the viability of a controversial proposed wind farm in mid Wales has been approved. The 280ft (81.5m) steel structure will measure wind speeds at land close to the village of Ponterwyd in Ceredigion. The mast is the same hub height as 13 turbines proposed in the Lluest y Gwynt wind farm near the Cambrian Mountains. Conservation groups have opposed the plans, considered to be of national importance, which will be decided by the Welsh government if . . . Complete story »
Wind farm plans prompt fears over coastal defence scheme
Denbighshire County Council fears a new offshore wind farm could impact its own coastal defence scheme and Rhyl Golf Club. Before Christmas RWE Renewables conducted a pre-application consultation for its proposed offshore wind farm between Colwyn Bay and Llanfairfechan. RWE Renewables put forward plans for two options. Option A was for 48 larger turbines and option B for 91 smaller structures. The company is yet to submit its final plans, meaning councillors remain in the dark about exactly what is . . . Complete story »
Plan for 90-metre mast goes back before committee as critics warn of ‘huge’ impact on area
A deferred planning application for a mast 30 metres taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa will be discussed by Denbighshire’s planning committee on Wednesday (April 20). In January, the committee considered an application from RWE Renewables to erect the 90-metre-high meteorological mast on land at Mynydd Mynyllod in Llandrillo near Corwen. RWE Renewables want to erect the mast, which would stand for three years, to collect wind data to see whether the field is suitable for a wind farm. . . . Complete story »
More onshore wind farms could be built in Wales under new energy security strategy
More onshore wind farms could be coming to Wales as part of Boris Johnson’s new energy security strategy. The new strategy is expected to be published later this week and is expected to include plans to expand the number of onshore wind farms along with proposals to build up to eight new nuclear power stations across the UK, costing more than £13bn. A significant expansion in the number of offshore wind farms is also proposed in the strategy, which is . . . Complete story »
Thousands more turbines could be built to treble onshore wind power
The fourth change - and the most contentious - is easing planning rules that have effectively banned the construction of new wind farms in England. The current rules require local authorities to name areas for potential wind farm use - which only a small minority have done - and empowers local opponents to slow proposals. The new plans also place an emphasis on expanding onshore wind in Scotland, where the supportive SNP is in government, as well as in Wales. Complete story »
Environmental concerns voiced during offshore windfarm consultation
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has highlighted concerns about the impact of a massive floating windfarm on the marine environment and migratory birds but confirms it will not object to plans for its construction following a consultation. The Erebus windfarm will be located 45km of the southwest coast of Pembrokeshire and will consist of seven to ten turbines Construction of the windfarm is expected to start in 2026 and the project also includes an offshore cable route back to a . . . Complete story »
Living in the shadow of a wind farm: The people surrounded by turbines which promised to lower bills, now terrified they could fall like trees
Straddling the border of Bridgend County and Rhondda Cynon Taf is a community with a rich history of harnessing energy. Back as far as the late 19th Century, Gilfach Goch and Evanstown – like much of the Welsh valleys – was known as a mining community. The Gilfach Goch Coillery employed boys and men through the village. Though the work was difficult and dangerous, residents recall a sense of pride in their past. But as we know, the mines would . . . Complete story »
