The Welsh Government has granted planning consent for an onshore wind farm project with the capacity to power the energy needs of 81,000 homes a year.
Having called in Bute Energy’s Twyn Hywel Energy Park project as a development of national significance, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, has approved the 92.4 megawatt scheme. Consisting of 14 turbines it will straddle the local authorities areas of Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Twyn Hywel Energy Park will be the first onshore wind project to be constructed in Wales since 2020.
Last month Ms Evans approved EDF Renewables Ƶ’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. All three projects had faced further delays due to an assessment of the mitigation measures needed to address the loss of peatland - seen as a important natural resource in capturing carbon emissions.
Stuart George, managing director at Bute Energy, said; "Onshore wind represents the cheapest, cleanest, and quickest route to generating clean energy and ending our reliance on fossil fuels.
“Wales is primed to lead and benefit from the shift to renewable energy, through significant direct investment, new jobs, and investment in local communities.
“Bute Energy has the largest programme of onshore wind projects in Wales. We’re committed to creating a lasting legacy of skills, opportunities and investment for Wales. Our community benefit fund, our skills work, and our innovative approach to working with communities will help us in our mission to keep as much of the investment in Wales as possible. ”
Construction is scheduled to start next year and be completed in 2027. It will be operational for 40 years with profits contributing to a £30m community benefit fund over the same period.
Twyn Hywel Energy Park forms part of Bute Energy’s portfolio energy parks across Wales, which would represent an investment of around £3bn with the potential to generate over 2 gigawatts of green energy - enough to power 2.25 million homes.
