German energy company RWE has received planning consent from the Welsh government for its 60-megawatt (MW) Alwen Forest wind farm in north Wales, the company said on Thursday.
The project, located near Alwen Reservoir across the counties of Conwy and Denbighshire, will consist of nine wind turbines up to 200 metres in height. Electricity generated from the site will be connected to the grid via the Clocaenog Forest substation.
RWE said the wind farm will generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of approximately 70,600 homes. Subject to a final investment decision, construction could begin in 2027.
“Consent for the Alwen Forest Wind Farm is a significant achievement and underscores RWE’s unwavering commitment to deliver sustainable energy solutions while prioritising environmental stewardship and community engagement,” said Martin Cole, project manager at RWE.
The company added that the project could become its first in Wales to include a local ownership element, through a partnership with Community Energy Wales and the formation of a community benefit society.
Ben Ferguson, co-executive director at Community Energy Wales, said the initiative could set a new precedent for collaboration between large-scale renewable energy projects and host communities. “This investment opportunity will significantly increase the economic return to local communities over decades, a positive move forward in the relationship between the large renewable energy projects being developed to meet net zero, and the communities which host them,” he said.
RWE estimates that the project will create or safeguard around 270 jobs in the UK supply chain, with roughly 207 of those based in Wales. During its 30-year operational life, the wind farm is expected to sustain 26 jobs, and approximately £9.5 million of the £37 million UK construction spend is projected to be retained in the local area.
Alwen Forest is one of several renewable energy schemes RWE is progressing in Wales, alongside onshore wind projects at Pen March, Abertillery, Carnedd Wen, and Gaerwen, as well as the Awel y Môr offshore wind farm and new solar developments.
