SPOTLIGHT ON WALES
NATURAL RESOURCES WALES WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is a Welsh Government sponsored body and its role is to ensure that the environment and natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, sustainably enhanced and sustainably used, now and in the future.
WIND ADVANTAGE
Wales has the advantage of being one of the windiest countries in Europe so it is not surprising that there are six onshore wind energy projects located on the NRW managed estate across Wales…
• Clocaenog Forest (RWE Innogy UK) • Dyfnant Forest (ScottishPower Renewables)
• Nant y Moch (SSE) • Brechfa Forest East (RWE Innogy UK) • Brechfa Forest West (RWE Innogy UK) • Pen y Cymoedd (Vattenfall)
WIND ENERGY AIMS
These projects aim to harness the natural wind resource of Wales and are estimated to produce up to 650MW of renewable energy. They not only create enterprise and jobs, but also help the Welsh Government achieve its ambition of building a low carbon economy for Wales, while developing projects which produce green energy and protects key species like the dormouse and red squirrel and the habitats they live in.
WORKING CLOSELY WITH DEVELOPERS
Four developers have been supported so far to obtain planning consent for large scale wind energy developments on NRW managed land. They are Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm (recently consented in September 2014), Brechfa Forest East, Brechfa Forest West and Pen y Cymoedd.
These consents have been informed by advice provided to the decision making bodies from NRW, although importantly from a separate part of NRW’s business to that which is working closely with the Developers to facilitate these developments. This separation of functions is crucial in avoiding any potential conflict of interest and engendering public confidence in NRW’s ability to support sustainable development in both its land management and statutory advisory functions.
Pen y Cymoedd Windfarm
PEN Y CYMOEDD PROJECT The 76 turbine Pen y Cymoedd project will be the largest onshore wind farm development in England and Wales. NRW was contracted by Vattenfall to carry out the tree clearance on the site before the construction could begin. NRW then awarded long term harvesting contracts to local contractors – allowing these companies to continue to employ people as well as investing in new harvesting machinery.
After 14 months of work and completion in December 2013, around 124,000 tonnes - or around 5000 lorry loads - of timber had been felled. Much of the timber was supplied to Welsh markets. The project has now moved to its construction phase and Vattenfall has awarded contracts worth more than £100m which will support more than 300 Welsh jobs over the next two years. In addition Pen y Cymoedd was awarded the RenewableUK Cymru Green Award for Supply Chain Development in 2013, demonstrating its commitment and innovative methods in developing a strong supply chain in Wales and will deliver a £3m habitat management plan.
COMMITMENT
NRW is fully committed to working closely with all Developers to make sure our natural resources benefit the people and economy of Wales while protecting the environment and preserving it for the future.
Natural Resources Wales Welsh Assembly Government
FEATURE SPONSOR
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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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