Nant y Moch wind farm project introduced at travelling exhibition

4 June 2009

People living in north Ceredigion and Machynlleth will be given the opportunity to get to know more about a key new project to generate renewable energy in the area.

Airtricity, the renewable energy development division of Scottish and Southern Energy, won the Forestry Commission Wales tender last year to develop a wind farm at Nant y Moch in North Ceredigion as part of the Welsh Assembly Government’s TAN 8 policy for the development of renewable energy.

The Nant y Moch site is one of seven key areas selected by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of its plan to achieve renewable energy targets for 2010 and 2020 and to ensure security of electricity supply.

To introduce the development to local people Airtricity is organising a series of exhibitions at five locations:

Ysgol Syr John Rhys, Ponterwyd on 16 June, 5-8pm
Y Plas, Machynlleth on 17 June, 11am – 2pm
Iron Hall, Furnace on 17 June, 5-8pm
Neuadd Penrhyn-coch on 18 June, 2-8pm
Neuadd Goffa Talybont on 19 June, 2-8pm

Eluned Lewis the project’s Community Liaison Officer said that the exhibition is an opportunity for locals to meet and talk to the people involved in the project and get some general information on the scheme.

“The project is at an early stage and a final layout has not yet been established. However, indicative estimates of the scheme’s contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and an illustrative outline of information on how it might impact on local communities during its construction, after commissioning and during its 25 year life span will be featured in the exhibition. More detailed information will be presented at a second set of exhibitions we will be holding later in the year once a final layout has established.

“With display panels, printed material, maps and policy documents on the environmental and technical aspect of the wind farm we will also present the potential benefits available to local communities as a result of the proposed development,” she said.

Airtricity is committed to implementing a Community Engagement Plan. This Plan was recently agreed by a newly formed Community Liaison Group, representing seven local Community Councils and three Economic Regeneration groups in the area.

The proposed wind farm is expected to generate enough electricity to supply power equivalent to the demand of an estimated 65,000 homes and will provide the communities in the area with an estimated fund of over £7.5 m during its expected lifespan of 25 years.

“These meetings will be an opportunity for us to introduce our project and to answer any questions local people may wish to ask at this early stage and we are hoping for a good turn-out at the five locations.

“People in the area are familiar with renewable energy since the Rheidol Power Station was opened in the 1960’s and with this site located close to the reservoir at Nant y Moch I think most people will find it very interesting,” said Eluned.

- ends -

Notes to Editors:

The site is within one of seven 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 at least 140MW. The scheme will generate enough electricity equivalent to the average domestic needs of approximately 65,000 homes (based on an average of energy consumption per household of 4.7MWhrs per year and an assumed 25% capacity factor). The scheme will provide at least the equivalent of an estimated 70% of the domestic electricity requirements of Ceredigion and Powys.
The Trust Fund for community benefit will be estimated to be approximately £10m over the expected 25 year life span of the wind farm
The application will be above 50MW and will therefore be determined by the Department of Energy and Climate change (DECC) or by the proposed Infrastructure Planning Commission.