COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER Local group set up to focus on community involvement

May 2009

Communities in north Ceredigion are working together on the community aspect of what could be one of the most important renewable energy projects in Wales.

Renewable energy developer Airtricity was the successful bidder in the Forestry Commission Wales tender for the development of the proposed wind farm at Nant y Moch, which also includes some private landholdings, one of 7 sites earmarked by the Welsh Assembly Government in its TAN 8 programme for the development of large scale wind farm projects.

Both the Westminster and Welsh governments are working towards achieving renewable energy targets for 2010 and 2020 and to ensure security of electricity supply. The Nant y Moch scheme would be a potentially significant contribution to the Welsh Assembly targets, whilst also delivering considerable localised economic benefits.

Airtricity is committed to developing a Community Engagement Plan and a Community Liaison Group with the responsibility to scrutinising and advising on the community aspect of the project. The Community Liaison Group has been established and is currently reviewing the draft Community Engagement Plan.

Welsh speaking Eluned Lewis is now established in her post as Community Liaison Officer at Nant y Moch and is the main point of contact between the community and the developer.

“It’s my job to deliver the community consultation process, during both the development and construction phases and the setting up of the Community Liaison Group is central to this process”, said Eluned Lewis.

“We are looking to maximise participation in the development and awareness of the scheme, so that at the point of submitting a planning application the vast majority of people will have had a chance to input and express their opinions to the developer Airtricity”, said Eluned Lewis.

Hazel Lloyd, Chief Executive of Ceredigion Association of Voluntary Organisations, has been elected Independent Facilitator of the Community Liaison Group and its current membership consist of representatives from: Cadfarch, Ysgubor y Coed, Llangynfelyn, Ceulanmaesmawr, Trefeurig, Melindwr and Blaenrheidol Community Councils together with the community regeneration partnerships: Eco Dyfi, Pentir Pumlumon and Menter Aberystwyth.

The Community Liaison Group is a separate entity from the development of the wind farm and is entirely unrelated to the planning process. It will play an instrumental part in developing the Community Engagement Plan and offering a platform for discussion about local needs.

The Nant y Moch wind farm will make a significant contribution towards both the provision of clean energy, supplying power for at least the equivalent of 65000 homes and generating financial support for the local economy.

Local people will have an opportunity to meet the key people involved in the project and to get to know more about the proposed development at a series of public exhibitions in the communities of Ponterwyd, Furnace, Penrhyn-coch and Talybont in June.

Information is also available on a new website nantymochwindfarm.com

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Nant y Moch Facts

The site is one of 7 Strategic Search Areas (SSAs) selected by the Welsh Assembly Government as being suitable for large scale wind energy schemes
The site is located on land used for rural hill farming and industrial forestry and is next to Nant y Moch reservoir, part of the Rheidol Hydro Electric Scheme opened in the 1960’s
The Nant y Moch scheme will have an expected rated capacity of a lease 140MW. This is equivalent to the average domestic needs of a least 65,000 homes (based on an average of energy consumption per household of 4.7MWhrs per year and a 25%capacity factor). The scheme will provide the equivalent of 70% of the domestic electricity requirements of Ceredigion and Powys.
The Trust Fund for community benefit is estimated to be in excess of £5M over the 25 year life span of the wind farm
The application will be above section 36Electricity Act 1989 threshold and will therefore be determined by the Department of Energy and Climate change (DECC) or by the proposed Infrastructure Planning Commission. Statutory consultees will include local authorities, including community councils and other interested parties.