Nant y Moch the Facts:
A respected and sound company. SSE Renewables is one of the leading renewable energy developers in the UK and the only remaining British owned developer. Established in 1997 it is owned by Scottish and Southern Energy (SS E) one of the largest companies in the UK providing the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity, energy trading, storage, distribution and supply of gas, electricity and utility contracting and telecoms.
Generating clean energy in Wales. The proposed Nant y Moch wind farm will make a significant contribution towards the Welsh Assembly Government targets for the provision of electricity from renewable sources, thereby meeting requirements for carbon free energy generation and domestic security of supply.
A site selected by the Welsh Assembly Government. The site is one of 7 Forestry Commission Wales owned land selected by the Welsh Assembly Government as being suitable for large scale wind energy schemes. Local authorities have also contributed to the process and some refinement has been carried out on boundaries etc. The area is mainly used for rural hill farming and commercial forestry and the presence of the turbines will not affect these activities. Ceredigion can be proud of its track record in generating renewable energy. One of the biggest schemes was the development of the Rheidol Hydro Power project opened in the 1960's and the proposed wind farm is on adjoining land to the Nant y Moch reservoir.
A major contributor to energy supply and security. The proposal is currently for a wind farm with an expected rated capacity of 140 - 170MW. This is equivalent to the annual average domestic electricity needs of about 65,000 homes (based on an average of energy consumption per household of 4.7MWhrs per year). Comparison of total number of households in Mid Wales Local communities will benefit. A bilingual Community Liaison Officer is in place and a Community Liaison Group has been set up. Members of the group represent 7 community councils and the 3 economic regeneration partnerships in the area and have an important communicating role within the communities. The trust fund for community benefit estimated to be in excess of £7.5M over the 25 year life span of the wind farm. The application will be above the 50MW Section 36 threshold and will therefore be determined by the new Infrastructure Planning Committee. Statutory consultees will include local authorities, including community councils and numerous other interested parties.
In order to ensure the capacity for a grid connection the system needs to be upgraded. The National Grid and SP Manweb have agreed to provide the required capacity for the grid connection. Discussions are now taking place to discuss timescale and the most acceptable route. The grid connection will be on single/double wooden poles similar to ones used to connect other local wind farms with the grid.
Transport
The component parts of the turbines will be delivered by road using the main trunk road connections. A certain amount of infrastructure upgrading may need to be carried out to widen bends and strengthen bridges, and access points will be developed into the site. The area has for many years been accessible to big and heavy machinery for the maintenance and harvesting of the forests. During the construction process a certain amount of inconvenience may be caused to local traffic but the company will make every effort to keep any disruption to a minimum.
Our Trial Run:
SSE Renewables will be conducting a trial run of wind farm components on November 25th and 26th (postponed from September).
The route we are testing runs from Swansea Docks to the area in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site. (see below)
The trial involves running a vehicle with an extendable trailer carrying a load which simulates a turbine blade. A police escort will be provided and it is anticipated that delays to the travelling public are unlikely to exceed ten minutes. These will be kept to a minimum. No road works will be necessary, and we will not be moving signs, walls or trees and no diversions will be required. The police escort will stop the vehicle if there is any build up of traffic behind, ensuring that other vehicles can pass safely. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.
As you know, arranging delivery of required wind farm components is a complex logistical operation that needs careful planning to minimise disruption to local communities and road users. It is important to note that no final route or access points have yet been finalised and the information obtained from the trial run will be used in an ongoing assessment to determine the most suitable transport delivery route to the proposed Nant y Moch site.
Details of the proposed route are as follows:
Leave Swansea Docks
Turn right A483
Continue to junction 42 of M4
Join M4 Westbound
M4 merges A48
Turn left A40
At St Clears turn right continuing A40
Turn right A478
Turn right A487
Turn right onto A4120 near Penparcau
Turn right A44
Turn left A4159
Turn right A487 near Bow Street
Continue along A487 to approx Grid Ref: SN 67216 94064
The above trial will take place on November 25th. The following day, we will also be testing the route from the Lovesgrove roundabout A44 to Nant yr Arian and Llangurig to Nant yr Arian.
We have been working closely with representatives from the Welsh Assembly Government, the police and the affected highways authorities - Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion County Councils regarding details of the trial run.
Timescale
- Submission of planning application - 2010
- Construction to commence in 2013
- Wind farm to be fully operational by mid 2017
- A 25 year life span. Unless a further planning permission is sought and secured to re-power the plant the wind farm will be decommissioned after 25 years of operation.