Energy giant RWE has submitted plans for a six turbine wind farm with the potential to generate at capacity green power equivalent to the needs of 50,000 home.
The turbines for the proposed 36 megawatt wind farm at Abertillery would have a maximum tip height of up to 200 metres. If approved it will be located between Abertillery and Abersychan, straddling the local authority boundaries of Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen County Borough councils.
As a development of national significance the final decision will rest Welsh Government ministers after the application is considered by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). A ministerial decision expected next year.
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RWE said the application to PEDW follows extensive consultation with current land users, other nearby residents, local authorities and both statutory consultees and non-statutory stakeholders
Alongside any future community benefit package, RWE has also been discussing proposals for part shared ownership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council,
Oliver Piper, RWE’s project manager leading on the development, said: “This submission is the latest milestone in a project which began in 2020 and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed by taking the time to attend our community events and share their thoughts on the proposals.
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“Going back to the very first site assessments, our scheme is now informed by years of environmental surveys, covering ecology, ornithology, hydrology, noise, landscape and visual, plus weather measurements, as well as the valuable feedback received during our two consultation periods.
“If approved, the Abertillery Wind Farm and its associated community package will directly benefit the community, support local businesses and supply chains, supporting Wales’ ambition of meeting 100 per cent of our electricity consumption from renewables by 2035.”
Ellie Fry, corporate director of regeneration and community services for Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said, “This is an exciting opportunity for the council which not only supports our priority to respond to the nature and climate crisis, but the commercial investment offers an opportunity to deliver wider benefits which will support communities in Blaenau Gwent to thrive.”
RWE is also submitting applications for separate consents from the Welsh Government ministers to develop on common land. This is because the proposed site is almost entirely on registered common land within the Gwastad and Coity and Mynydd James mountain areas.