Wales’ largest renewable energy generator RWE has launched a public consultation for a new onshore wind project in south east Wales. RWE said it has begun a pre-application consultation on proposals to build six turbines between the towns of Abertillery and Abersychan, on the border between Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent council areas.
If approved, the company said the wind farm could generate 36MW - enough energy to power 42,000 homes each year - more than the total number of households in either the Torfaen or Blaenau Gwent areas. The consultation will run for six weeks and once closed, RWE said it will consider feedback and look to submit the formal Development of National Significance planning application.
If it gains consent, site preparation and construction could take place in 2025 and 2026, with the aim of the wind farm being fully operational in 2027. Project manager for RWE Ollie Piper said: “We’ve been working hard on developing our proposal for the Abertillery wind farm since 2020 and have carried out detailed assessments on the site, looking closely at ground conditions, wildlife including birds for several years, archaeology and the needs of those who use the site for grazing and other purposes.”
Read more: Transport for Wales behind on delivering 77 new trains
He added: “We’ve also held discussions with local stakeholders, and conducted an informal public consultation, gathering a huge amount of valuable information, all of which has brought us to this point. We are now seeking the input of local people and statutory consultees again as part of the pre-application consultation, prior to the final submission of the planning application to the Welsh Government, who will make a decision in due course.”
RWE will also offer a package of support to community initiatives in the area, including the opportunity for local councils to own a share of the project. To date, RWE’s wind farm projects in Wales have invested over £15m into community funds.
As part of the consultation, events will be held in Abertillery, Abersychan and Blaenavon, and will enable attendees to meet the team, view information about the project, including maps, photomontages and the draft Environmental Statement, and to then provide feedback. The planning documents, including the draft Environmental Statement, draft Non-Technical Summary, and photomontages, can be found at .
RWE has also launched a floating offshore wind competition, which invites start-ups, scale-ups, research institutes as well as other individuals and organisations to propose solutions that promote coexistence with other sea-based activities to support local marine stakeholders, including fisheries.
Most Read
It is also looking for innovations which minimise the environmental impact of floating wind on wildlife and have a net-positive impact on biodiversity. The winners will work with RWE’s global development teams, which drive forward floating wind projects in Europe, Asia and America, and receive monetary research grants to further develop their ideas.
RWE is set to participate in the upcoming Crown Estate’s 海角视频 round 5 seabed lease auction, for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. The company has already developed industrial collaborations to gain a better understanding of the local supply chain possibilities including a cooperation agreement with Tata Steel 海角视频 and agreements with ABP Port Talbot, the Port of Milford Haven Authority, Ledwood Mechanical Engineering and Marine Power Systems of Swansea.
RWE director of offshore wind development in 海角视频 and Ireland Danielle Lane said: “The development of floating wind in the Celtic Sea region offers a multi-billion pound economic opportunity, creating a lasting legacy of innovation, manufacturing, and operations, with a newly-skilled workforce, bringing a host of benefits into local communities. This competition is a mechanism to try to ensure that innovation and biodiversity are at the heart of the projects we are developing.”