The Welsh Government has approved planning for two major onshore wind farm projects after calling them in as developments of national significance. The protracted delay in determining the projects had more recently centred around assessment of peat land loss, which plays an important natural role in capturing carbon.
The Welsh Government has confirmed, following non binding independent reports and recommendations by planning inspectors from Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, planning approvals for EDF Renewables 海角视频’s 85 megawatt wind farm and energy storage facility in Garn Fach, south of Newton in Powys and the 25 megawatt Manmoel wind farm from Cenin in Blaenau Gwent. Planning was approved by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Planning and Energy Rebecca Evans.
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The Welsh Government is still to determine Bute Energy’s 92.4 megawatt Tywyn Hywel Energy Park scheme straddling the local authorities of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly. That is expected to made by the end of next month.
Savills Cardiff supported the application for EDF Renewables 海角视频’s Garn Fach scheme. The 17 turbine project will at capacity the ability to generate enough renewable electricity to meet the equivalent needs of 69,000 average 海角视频 homes. An energy storage facility onsite will also support flexible capacity and the integration of the renewable energy onto the national grid.
EDF Renewables 海角视频’s director for onshore wind, Jon O’Sullivan said:“We are pleased that the Welsh Government has approved our planning application for Garn Fach Wind Farm. The site is an excellent location for a wind farm and has the potential to make a significant positive impact in Wales and to the local community.”
Jack Pugsley specialises in planning for energy and infrastructure led on the project on behalf of Savills Cardiff. He said:“In recommending the application for approval, the inspector recognised that the importance of peat increased as a consequence of changes to national planning policy during its examination. Notwithstanding that, in approving the application, the Cabinet Secretary (Rebecca Evans) agreed with the applicant that the scheme meets the high test of being ‘wholly exceptional’, due to its contribution to the Welsh Government’s renewable energy targets, and overall improvement in the peatland resource on the site.
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“This is a welcome decision that reflects positively on the hard work and commitment of the entire project team.”
A community fund worth over £10m will be established over the lifetime of the project.
Director of representative body for the renewables sector Renewable海角视频 Cymru, Jess Hooper, said:“This is a tremendous shot in the arm for the Welsh renewables industry. Garn Fach is a significant milestone project for Wales, and we are delighted it has got the go ahead after more than two years in the planning system. Now the Welsh Government has committed to a sector deal with Wales’ renewable energy industry, this will help us to work in partnership to accelerate planning decisions and provide greater clarity to drive inward investment and green economic growth.”
The Welsh Government is still to determine planning on the proposed Cardiff Parkway new mainline train station and integrated business park project at St Mellons. The project was called as a development of national significant two years ago. Earlier this month First Minister Eluned Morgan confirmed that she will make the planning decision on the project, in which her government has a minority equity stake through development company Cardiff Parkway Developments Ltd. The other investors are Investec and the Roberts family.