Bute Energy has successfully completed the first round of public consultations for its envisioned Llyn Lort Energy Park, a proposed 165-megawatt (MW) onshore wind farm located in Powys, Wales. The project holds the potential to generate environmentally friendly energy equivalent to powering nearly 144,000 homes.
The initial round of consultations, conducted from September 6 to October 18, 2023, included three drop-in sessions held locally in Llanfair Caereinion, Carno, and Cefn Coch. These sessions provided an opportunity for community members to review project information, engage with the project team, and express their views.
Bute Energy expressed its gratitude to all participants and assured that all feedback received during this phase will be thoughtfully considered, alongside environmental and technical survey reports, in preparation for the upcoming round of public consultations, expected to take place in the summer of 2024.
Situated in Powys, south-west of Llanerfyl and west of Cefn Coch, Llyn Lort Energy Park falls entirely within a Pre-Assessed Area designated by the Welsh government's National Development Framework, “Future Wales: The National Plan 2040,” for large-scale onshore wind energy.
The project is designed to feature up to 25 wind turbines, each with a maximum blade tip height of 220 meters.
As part of the Llyn Lort Energy Park initiative, a Community Benefit Fund will be established, anticipated to contribute around £1.2 million of annual investment to the local community.
In addition to this fund, Bute Energy is committed to ensuring that as much investment as possible remains local. During development and construction, every contract awarded will require partners to adhere to a Social Value Standard, promoting investments in jobs, time, resources, and finances within nearby communities. This approach aims to maximize the benefits for local communities and keep the investments in Wales.
Iain Foster, Project Manager at Bute Energy, emphasized the importance of renewable energy in addressing the climate emergency and highlighted the significant potential for renewable energy in Wales. He mentioned that Bute Energy is actively working to deliver clean and sustainable energy, contributing to the Welsh government's target of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2035.
Llyn Lort Energy Park is categorized as a Development of National Significance, and as such, Bute Energy will submit its planning application to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). The final decision on the application will be made by Welsh Ministers, with the planning application expected to be submitted to PEDW in late 2024.
The project will connect to the electricity transmission network through Green GEN Vyrnwy Frankton, a new overhead line to be constructed by Green GEN Cymru, a division of the Bute Energy Group.
