Welsh company Pennant Walters has commenced pre-application consultations for its proposed 20MW Trecelyn Wind Farm near Newbridge in Wales. The project aims to install up to four wind turbines on land east of Newbridge and Abercarn in Caerphilly, with an indicative height of up to 145 meters. The estimated power output is anticipated to meet the energy needs of approximately 13,135 homes.
This step follows a previous round of consultations in March 2023, during which Pennant Walters adjusted the proposals by removing one turbine. The identified site falls within a Pre-Assessed Area for onshore wind as outlined in the Welsh government's ‘Future Wales' document, aligning with the country's goal to achieve 100% renewable energy consumption and locally own 1.5GW of green energy capacity by 2035.
Pennant Walters is engaging with local communities through two public exhibitions to provide detailed information about the project. The first exhibition will take place at Llanfach Village Hall on Thursday, November 30, from 2 pm to 7 pm, followed by a second exhibition at Newbridge Memo on Friday, December 1, from 2 pm to 7 pm.
Director of Environment and Sustainability at Pennant Walters, Meryl Lewis, emphasized the potential role of Trecelyn Wind Farm in supporting the Welsh Government's renewable energy goals and addressing climate change. The company is committed to involving the local community from the project's outset and seeks to incorporate community feedback. In addition to potential local benefits, such as establishing a community benefit fund and supporting the local supply chain, Pennant Walters is exploring opportunities for increased shared ownership and community involvement.
As a locally-owned Welsh company, Pennant Walters has a track record of establishing community funds for its wind farm projects, contributing approximately £5 million to qualifying initiatives in South Wales to date. The Trecelyn Wind Farm project aims to align with the Welsh government's goals for shared ownership and community engagement.
