EDF Renewables announces plans for new Welsh wind farm
Published by Sarah Smith,
Assistant Editor
Energy Global,
EDF Renewables (EDF R) has announced plans to develop a wind farm called 'Garn Fach' in partnership with 14 local farming families. The wind farm which will be located south of Newtown, Powys, Wales. The project is likely to consist of up to 22 turbines, each producing around 5 MW.
Ahead of submitting a planning application for the wind farm at the end of 2020, EDF R has been carrying out ecological and other feasibility surveys. On 9 January 2020, EDF R submitted an environmental scoping report to the Welsh Government and an application to Powys County Council to erect a met mast onsite to gather accurate wind speed data.
EDF R is committed to an annual community benefit fund for Garn Fach of £5000 per MW, which could be around £550 000 (depending on the final capacity of the project) per year available for local causes, or £16.5 million over the 30-year lifetime of the project. The wind farm will also have the potential for local ownership, with opportunities for local people and organisations to invest and have a stake in the project.
This proposed investment from EDF Renewables comes at a time of growing concern about climate change which has prompted both the UK and Welsh Governments to embrace tougher targets for carbon emissions reduction by 2050. The Welsh Government has a target for Wales to be generating 70% of its electricity consumption from renewables by 2030. To achieve this, more electricity will need to be generated from renewable and low carbon sources.
Onshore wind is now one of the cheapest ways of generating renewable or low carbon energy, and Garn Fach will be developed without the need for public subsidy.
Public Information Days are being held by the EDF R project team in communities near to the proposed wind farm site for local people to gain a better understanding of the proposals and provide initial feedback. Interactive 3D visual software modelling will be available at the exhibition to enable residents to see the effects of the proposed development from different angles and viewpoints.
The planning application for the wind farm will be assessed by the independent planning inspectorate, with a final decision being taken by the Welsh Government.
Read the article online at: https://www.energyglobal.com/wind/17012020/edf-renewables-announces-plans-for-new-welsh-wind-farm/
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