Wind farm could power over 15,000 properties
APLANNING application for a wind farm development near Pontypridd, with the potential to provide green electricity to power more than 15,00 homes, has been submitted and will be determined by Welsh Government ministers.
The 30 megawatt Mynydd y Glyn Wind Farm project is from Hirwaunbased Pennant Walters – the largest indigenous renewable provider in Wales and part of the Walters Group.
The company has to date built six wind farms which along with its solar farm developments provide 127 megawatt of energy. Its latest proposed development, for which a statutory consultation was carried out over the winter, is for seven turbines which would provide energy into the National Grid over a 30 operational lifespan.
In response to feedback during the statutory consultation surveys were carried out on peat, water quality and bird species Golden Plover, with additional mitigation measures put in place where appropriate.
The amendments to the proposals were in addition to changes made following the early engagement which included reducing the size of the turbines and moving one out of an area of deep peat.
Meryl Lewis, director of environment and sustainability for Pennant Walters, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who took part in our engagement and consultation events on our plans for Mynydd y Glyn Wind Farm, and shared their thoughts on the emerging proposals with members of the project team.
“Engaging with the communities we operate within is of the utmost importance to Pennant Walters, and we place great value on their feedback.
“We will continue to engage with the community regarding a Community Benefits Fund, which will provide support for local projects in the area should consent be granted and once the wind farm is operational.
“We believe the proposed wind farm will make an important contribution to Rhondda Cynon Taf County
Borough Council’s renewable energy targets and to those of Wales as a whole.”
The application is now with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) where it will be considered by an inspector before the final decision is made by Welsh Government ministers.
Subject to planning consent approval the wind farm would take two years to complete.
Pennant Walters has an accepted grid connection offer from Western Power Distribution at Upper Boat.