A major wind farm project from energy giant RWE in North Wales, which at capacity could generate electricity to power 70,600 homes, has been approved by the Welsh Government.
Its Alwen Forest Wind Farm scheme, which would straddle the boundaries of both Conwy and Denbighshire county councils, has been awarded consent for nine turbines close to the Alwen Reservoir . The turbines would be 200 metres high.
A proposed connection to the National Grid via an existing substation at Clocaenog Forest was also included as part of the planning application.
Once fully constructed Alwen Forest would have a local ownership position via a community benefit society through a partnership between RWE and Community Energy Wales. The project’s next step is to secure a route to market pending a final investment decision with construction potentially commencing in 2027.
Martin Cole, RWE’s project manager leading on the development: “Consent for the Alwen Forest Wind Farm is a significant achievement and underscores RWE’s unwavering commitment to deliver sustainable energy solutions while prioritising environmental stewardship and community engagement.
"At every step, we have consulted widely, engaging with specialists, local communities and others with a stake in this decision, to ensure an inclusive approach while gathering an unprecedented wealth of environmental information about the site.
“As we move towards construction, we remain committed to transparency and will continue to keep the community informed, by sharing information on opportunities in the supply chain, local ownership and a community benefit package.”
Following a financial investment decision from RWE, once under construction Alwen Forest will have the potential to create or safeguard around 270 jobs either directly or in the Ƶ supply chain, of which around 207 would expect to be in Wales. Over a 30-year life span of the wind farm around 26 jobs are expected to be created.
In addition, around £9.5m of the projected Ƶ total spend of £37m on construction is anticipated to be retained in Conwy and Denbighshire County Council areas via the project’s supply chain.
Ben Ferguson, co-executive director at Community Energy Wales, said: “We’re delighted to see this project consented, after working towards a shared ownership opportunity with RWE throughout the development of the project. This investment opportunity will significantly increase the economic return to local communities over decades, a positive move forward in the relationship between the large renewable energy projects being developed to meet net zero, and the communities which host them.”
RWE is developing other onshore wind projects the region, at Pen March and Abertillery in south Wales, Carnedd Wen in Powys, and the Gaerwen Wind Farm elsewhere in north Wales; as well as Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, the Craig y Perthi and Glöyn Byw solar farms, and decarbonisation projects at the Pembroke Net Zero Centre.
