Bute Energy has formed a partnership with The Big Issue to help disadvantaged jobseekers find employment at the company’s upcoming Twyn Hywel Energy Park in South Wales. This collaboration aims to assist individuals in Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf in securing renewable energy-related jobs at the 92.3MW onshore wind project.
Under the initiative, Big Issue Recruit will work with local jobseekers to prepare them for employment with contractors involved in the Twyn Hywel development. The project, located near Caerphilly, will begin construction in 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2027, marking the UK’s first onshore wind development under the new Labour Government. The project has already received consent from the Welsh Government in November.
A key component of the partnership is a six-month pilot program, during which a dedicated job coach will support around 50 local candidates. The coach will assist candidates in overcoming barriers to employment, such as mental health challenges or digital exclusion, and will help prepare them for various roles in local businesses contributing to the energy park’s development.
Big Issue Recruit managing director, Catherine Parsons, explained, “Big Issue Recruit aims to support people into sustainable jobs – a goal shared by candidates and our employer partners, like Bute Energy, who want to get local people from all walks of life embarking on long-term careers at their energy parks. We’re excited to bring this approach to South Wales and connect people with the brilliant local employer that is Bute Energy and their state-of-the-art energy park at Twyn Hywel.”
Bute Energy’s director of communications and community investment, Catryn Newton, emphasized that if the pilot proves successful, it could be expanded to other renewable energy projects. Newton added, “We’re proud to have partnered with Big Issue Recruit. They’ve shown employers that it’s possible to support a more inclusive, upskilled workforce by creating pathways to sustainable careers. We’re delighted to take up the challenge and contribute to their mission.”
The Twyn Hywel Energy Park, to be built in the Aber Valley, will feature 14 wind turbines, generating enough electricity to power 81,000 homes and eliminating the equivalent of all car emissions in Caerphilly County Borough each year. In addition to the employment initiative, Bute Energy has created the Twyn Hywel Community Benefit Fund, which will invest more than £30 million into the local community over the next 40 years.
This partnership reflects Bute Energy’s commitment to leaving a lasting, positive impact on the communities hosting their renewable energy projects.
