Latest news with #TrydanGwyrddCymru
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Three new wind farms will 'destroy our beautiful landscape'
Three new wind farms will 'destroy our beautiful landscape' The three new wind farms in Wales have the potential to generate enough electricity to power 350,000 Welsh homes' annual average electricity needs (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) The announcement of the locations for three new wind farms planned by the Welsh Government has been met with disappointment by most Wales Online readers. The project, spearheaded by Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, is expected to create 650 construction jobs. These three wind farms could potentially generate enough electricity to meet the annual average needs of 350,000 Welsh homes. The sites have been revealed in Denbighshire, Carmarthenshire and Rhondda Cynon Taff. Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, a company fully owned by the Welsh Government, has set a goal to develop 1GW of new renewable energy generation capacity on Welsh public land by 2040. The estimated cost of constructing these sites is around £500m, with a total of 67, 6MW wind turbines proposed across the three locations, subject to approval. The turbines are anticipated to stand approximately 200m tall. The wind farms will be erected on the Welsh Government's woodland estate, aligning with their plan to generate sufficient renewable electricity to cover 70% of Wales' consumption by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035. Trydan stated that these three sites would result in 650 construction jobs over a span of up to two years, and up to 40 direct and 55 indirect jobs over 35 years. Consultation events are planned before planning permission is sought by mid-2027. If granted, construction is likely to commence in the early 2030s, with energy production expected from 2035. Commenter EUandMe asks: 'Will our energy bills decrease with all this additional 'free' electricity? No? Thought not!' Article continues below Septimus replies: 'Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power have become increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, and in many cases, are now the cheapest options for new electricity generation.' Goatman thinks: 'Destroying the beautiful landscape. Nobody wants them, they destroy wildlife and devalue the landscape.' Charlie2015 retorts: 'I agree they are absolutely destroying our beautiful landscape, I so much prefer the huge ugly grey pylons. They look so much better! All this moaning, but power has to come from somewhere. I wonder what you'd all be like if we had no electricity you'd probably all have withdrawal because you wouldn't be able to charge your phones which you've all become so reliant on. We've lived for years with pylons all over the country. What difference are these white windmills going to make?' Novvypoo adds: 'What about the fossil fuel shortages on the horizon? And how will it destroy wildlife? Swoosh them to death?' Harry Crumb thinks: 'Clean energy is the future.' Blackhand18 replies: 'Clean energy is produced by environmentally damaging methods. Lithium mining for electric car batteries is destroying the environment and large swathes of the world. What difference are these multiple noisy eyesores going to make? These 3 are going to power 350,000 homes - 1 large town. Wow! In the meantime farmers producing food will be non-existent and all our food will be imported by air creating higher emissions.' BlueBuoy points out: 'Wildlife seems to be doing OK to me, I never thought I'd see numerous birds of prey again in our skies, otters in our rivers, beavers, red squirrels, salmon in our rivers, although to be fair, the water companies have probably put us back on that!' Gravytraindeactivated says: 'Building these will result in unpredictable energy generation and we will pay even more money to have them taken off the grid (capacity payments) when there is too much solar or too much wind. We should be investing in pumped storage (hydro) or hydrogen generation and storage for steel production instead of paying for over capacity.' Brad1954 thinks: 'We had the coal tips and they were bad enough, but at least you could seed them and turn them green, these turbines are an eyesore and will end up in landfill without justifying the cost.' Article continues below How do you feel about wind powered energy? Are they an investment in the future? Have your say in our comments section.
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Publicly Owned Renewable Energy Developer Announces First Projects
The publicly owned renewable energy developer for Wales, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, has announced proposals for three new wind farms with the potential to generate up to 400 MW of clean electricity. That would be enough to provide the annual average electricity needs of 350,000 Welsh homes – around a quarter of the homes in Wales. In the first project announcement since Trydan's launch in 2024, the schemes will help meet the growing need for clean energy in Wales with electricity demand projected to nearly triple by 2050, the Welsh Government said. Trydan aims to develop 1 GW of new renewable energy generation capacity on Welsh public land by 2040. The first three proposed sites are: Clocaenog Dau Wind Farm, Denbighshire/Conwy (up to 132 MW) Glyn Cothi Wind Farm, Carmarthenshire (up to 162 MW) Carreg Wen Wind Farm, Rhondda Cynon Taf (up to 108 MW) All profits generated by Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru reinvested in Welsh communities and public services. The wind farms will be developed on the Welsh Government's woodland estate, which covers 126,000 hectares – 6% of Wales' total land area – and according to Welsh Government contains some of the country's best potential sites for renewable energy generation. Cutting Wales' carbon emissions is a key commitment of the Welsh Government, which aims for Wales to generate enough renewable electricity to meet 70% of what's used in Wales by 2030, rising to 100% by 2035. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said: 'These proposals demonstrate our commitment to harnessing Wales' abundant natural resources to generate clean energy while ensuring the benefits are felt locally. 'By developing these projects on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, we're making best use of our public land to tackle the climate emergency and create sustainable economic opportunities.' It is estimated the developments will create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation, with Trydan committed to involving Welsh companies throughout the process. More renewable energy projects are in development and will be announced later this year. Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru's Chief Executive, Richard Evans, said: 'With Trydan driving development, and with the profits from this investment retained in Wales, we have a unique opportunity to optimise the projects and the multiple benefits they bring. 'In parts of Wales suitable for infrastructure installations, and across Wales, working with delivery partners we will create and support quality, direct and indirect jobs in the renewable energy sector and supply chains, and contribute to skills initiatives. Communities will be involved and funding will support local priorities. 'As a Wales-wide developer, we can commit to nation-wide, strategic programmes, such as habitat management and restoration, and we look forward to working with stakeholders to define ambitious, long-term enhancements.'
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Welsh Government's renewables venture wants to build wind farm in North Wales forest
The Welsh Government owned renewable energy developer Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru wants to build a new wind farm at a forest site in North Wales. The organisation has announced proposals for three new wind farms in Wales with the potential to generate up to 400 MW of electricity. They say this would be enough to power 350,000 Welsh homes' annual average electricity needs. That is around a quarter of the homes in Wales. It is the first project announcement since Trydan's launch in 2024 and the government said it will help meet the growing need for clean energy in Wales with electricity demand projected to nearly triple by 2050. Trydan is wholly owned by Welsh Government which defines its remit, and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, has oversight of activities. Trydan's ambition is to develop 1 GW of new renewable energy generation capacity on Welsh public land by 2040. All profits generated would be reinvested in Welsh communities and public services. The wind farms will be developed on the Welsh Government's woodland estate, which covers 126,000 hectares - 6% of Wales' total land area - and contains some of the country's best potential sites for renewable energy generation. The first three proposed sites are: Clocaenog Dau Wind Farm, Denbighshire/Conwy (up to 132 MW) Glyn Cothi Wind Farm, Carmarthenshire (up to 162 MW) Carreg Wen Wind Farm, Rhondda Cynon Taf (up to 108 MW) In North Wales this would - subject to planning - mean another wind farm at Clocaenog forest, where there is an existing 96MW site owned by RWE. Up to 22 wind turbines would be built, generating enough energy for the equivalent of 117,500 Welsh homes. This scheme would generate 200 construction jobs. Constructing the sites will cost around £500m and in total 67, 6MW wind turbines will be built across the three sites, if approved. The turbines are expected to be around 200m tall. Trydan said these three sites would mean 650 construction jobs over a period of up to two years, and up to 40 direct and 55 indirect jobs over 35 years. The plan is for consultation events to take place before planning permission is submitted by mid-2027. Construction, if planning permission is granted, will likely begin in the early 2030s, with energy likely to be generated from 2035. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans said: 'These proposals demonstrate our commitment to harnessing Wales' abundant natural resources to generate clean energy while ensuring the benefits are felt locally. By developing these projects on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, we're making best use of our public land to tackle the climate emergency and create sustainable economic opportunities." More renewable energy projects are in development and will be announced later this year. Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru's Chief Executive, Richard Evans, said: 'With Trydan driving development, and with the profits from this investment retained in Wales, we have a unique opportunity to optimise the projects and the multiple benefits they bring. In parts of Wales suitable for infrastructure installations, and across Wales, working with delivery partners, we will create and support quality, direct and indirect jobs in the renewable energy sector and supply chains, and contribute to skills initiatives. Communities will be involved and funding will support local priorities.' 'As a Wales-wide developer, we can commit to nation-wide, strategic programmes, such as habitat management and restoration, and we look forward to working with stakeholders to define ambitious, long-term enhancements.'
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Three sites for 200m high wind turbines powering 350,000 homes revealed by Welsh Government
Three sites for 200m high wind turbines powering 350,000 homes revealed by Welsh Government The plan is to generate enough renewable electricity to meet 70% of what's used in Wales by 2030, rising to 100% by 2035 The Welsh Government-owned Trydan scheme has announced the locations of its first three wind farms (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) The location of three wind farms planned by the Welsh Government has been announced. Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru intends to create 650 construction jobs through the project. The three new wind farms have the potential to generate enough electricity to power 350,000 Welsh homes' annual average electricity needs Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, which is wholly owned by the Welsh Government, aims to develop 1GW of new renewable energy generation capacity on Welsh public land by 2040. The locations of the three proposed sites are: Clocaenog Dau wind farm, Denbighshire/Conwy Glyn Cothi wind farm, Carmarthenshire Carreg Wen wind farm, Rhondda Cynon Taf Constructing the sites will cost around £500m and in total 67, 6MW wind turbines will be built across the three sites, if approved. The turbines are expected to be around 200m tall. Article continues below The wind farms will be built on the Welsh Government's woodland estate and the Welsh Government's plan is to generate enough renewable electricity to meet 70% of what's used in Wales by 2030, rising to 100% by 2035. Trydan said these three sites would mean 650 construction jobs over a period of up to two years, and up to 40 direct and 55 indirect jobs over 35 years. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The plan is for consultation events to take place before planning permission is submitted by mid-2027. Construction, if planning permission is granted, will likely begin in the early 2030s, with energy likely to be generated from 2035. The maps below remain indicative at this point, which are subject to change through the planning process. Clocaenog Dau wind farm in Denbighshire and Conwy A zoom in of the proposed site (Image: Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru ) Up to 22 wind turbines would be built, generating enough energy for the equivalent of 117,500 Welsh homes. This scheme would generate 200 construction jobs. Glyn Cothi wind farm in Carmarthenshire A closer look (Image: Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru ) Up to 27 wind turbines would be built here, generating the equivalent of 144,000 Welsh homes. It would create 250 construction jobs and around 15 direct and 20 indirect jobs. Carreg Wen wind farm in Rhondda Cynon Taf Indicative plans of the first Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru wind farms in Wales. Carreg Wen site (Image: Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru ) There would be 18 wind turbines here, with electricity generated the equivalent needed for 96,000 homes. Further projects at different sites are expected to be announced at a later date. Article continues below In terms of connecting these turbines to the grid, officials have admitted there are grid connections possible at two projects - the scheme in Carmarthenshire and the equivalent in Rhondda Cynon Taf. An application for the Clocaenog would be made later this year.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Locations chosen for three Welsh government-backed wind farms
Wales' new publicly-owned renewable energy developer has announced where it plans to build its first wind farm projects, promising hundreds of sites have been selected, with the potential to generate enough clean electricity to power about a quarter of Welsh Gwyrdd Cymru was set up by the Welsh government to speed up the delivery of renewable energy projects on public land while ensuring the profits stayed in the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales (CPRW) questioned why so many onshore wind farms were needed when Wales had "enormous potential" for schemes to be built out at sea. Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, which means Green Electricity Wales in Welsh, was launched in 2024, with the aim of developing 1 GW worth of new renewable energy schemes on government-owned land by had been inspired by similar state-backed firms such as Sweden's Vattenfall, which owns Wales' largest onshore windfarm - the country's own renewable energy developer means profits generated by Wales' wind can be retained and reinvested locally in communities and public services, the government argues. The company has now unveiled its first three proposed wind farms, in north, south and west Dau wind farm will see 67 turbines built near Llyn Brenig, along the border between Conwy and Cothi wind farm, near Brechfa in Carmarthenshire, will have 27 Wen wind farm, between Aberdare and Maerdy in Rhondda Cynon Taf, will be made up of 18 all three make it through the planning process as well as securing connection to the grid, they will generate enough electricity to power the average needs of 350,000 building work is anticipated to cost £500m, creating about 650 construction direct and 55 indirect jobs are also promised over the wind farms' 35-year operational lifetime. Ministers said the schemes would help meet the growing need for clean energy in demand is projected to nearly triple by 2050, fuelling the switch to electric vehicles, heat pumps and other low carbon Welsh government has set a target for Wales to generate enough renewable electricity to meet 70% of what's used in Wales by 2030, rising to 100% by 2035. What about pylons? Two of the projects already have an offer of connection to the grid are plans for a wooden pole line to connect the Glyn Cothi wind farm to a proposed new substation in Llandyfaelog, a wooden pole line would run from the Carreg Wen wind farm to a planned new substation near Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon substation projects – as well as the prospect of more overhead transmission lines - have already proved controversial Gwyrdd Cymru says it will begin a series of public information and engagement events later this year, with the aim of submitting planning applications in 2027."Communities will be involved and funding will support local priorities," said chief executive Richard Evans."With Trydan driving development, and with the profits from this investment retained in Wales, we have a unique opportunity to optimise the projects and the multiple benefits they bring."Energy Secretary Rebecca Evans added: "By developing these projects on the Welsh government woodland estate, we're making best use of our public land to tackle the climate emergency and create sustainable economic opportunities."Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which manages the land where the turbines will be built, said it would ensure all infrastructure was "integrated carefully into the working forest".Tree clearance will be kept to a minimum, environmentally sensitive features will be protected, and any areas cleared of trees will be replaced through our Compensatory Planting Programme," explained Elsie Grace of NRW."Vital timber production and environmental protection can continue, while additional revenues are generated by the wind farm projects," she said. Jonathan Dean from the CPRW warned there would be local opposition."I think the local communities will have problems with them, because they will be of an unprecedented scale," he said."The biggest wind turbine in Wales is currently under 150m (tall), these will be at least 200m - it's another step up."He said the group was supportive of green energy and not against the use of wind turbines, but that there was "enormous potential" to site these out at sea."We really don't see that there is any need to put them in as many places onshore as is being planned."
