The local community is being invited to find out more and have its say on emerging plans for a wind farm on land at Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn near Abertillery.
South Wales renewables company Pennant Walters Ltd is developing proposals for up to eight wind turbines with a maximum blade height of 180m. It is estimated that the wind farm could generate up to 48 MW of electricity, which is equivalent to providing enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of over 24,000 homes.
In April 2019, the Welsh Government declared a climate emergency and published its Future Wales: The National Development Framework (NDF) which was adopted at the start of 2021. The Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn site in Blaenau Gwent lies within a Pre-Assessed Area for the provision of wind farms.
The site is located on an upland ridge between the Ebbw Fawr and Ebbw Fach valleys. The site extends to approximately 270 hectares, which is predominantly grassland used for grazing. It is split by the forestry haul road, woodland and the operational Hafod-y-Dafal Solar Farm (28.6 hectares).
Pennant Walter’s approach is to develop long-lasting relationships with the local communities in which it operates. It is carrying out early engagement on its proposals for Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn Wind Farm to give local people the opportunity to find out more and discuss the proposals with members of the project team.
Public exhibitions are being held:
- 2pm to 8pm on Thursday, 17 June at Aberbeeg Community and Youth Centre, Pant ddu Rd, Abertillery NP13 2BP
- 10am – 4pm on Saturday, 19 June at Cwm Community Education Centre, Canning St, Cwm, Ebbw Vale NP23 7RD
As some form of Covid restrictions may still be in place at the time of the public exhibitions, organisers are asking that you register your interest in advance so they can contact you with any safety requirements and your timeslot in advance of the event. Please email consultation@carn-y-cefn.co.uk or call 01495 832476.
Alternatively, you can view the exhibition boards online (from 17 June) and give your feedback at the project website: www.carn-y-cefn.co.uk. Please submit your comments by 4 July 2021.
All feedback will then be reviewed and used to help inform the number and location of the turbines proposed in the Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn Wind Farm. The detailed proposals will form the basis of the statutory consultation later in the year.
Dale Hart, Managing Director of Pennant Walters, said: “We believe that the Mynydd Carn-y-Cefn Wind Farm could make a significant contribution to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s renewable energy targets in the immediate future, while delivering wider benefits to the surrounding communities over the next 30 years.
“We place great value in the communities in which we operate and look forward to hearing the thoughts and ideas of local residents and stakeholders as we develop our proposals.”
The communities in which Pennant Walters develops and operates wind farms are a key priority and each wind farm operates a community fund that invests money into the surrounding local communities. To date, Pennant Walters has distributed some £3.5million pounds to qualifying projects.