Pen Y Cymoedd

Proposal

The proposed development is in forestry land in the Neath and Port Talbot and Rhonda Cynon Taff districts of South Wales. The Welsh Assembly Government identified this area as a strategic search area suitable for wind energy development. The proposal is on land owned by Forestry Commission Wales and it is anticipated that the project will have a capacity of up to 300 MW. The wind farm, if built, could provide all of the 2010 target for the Coed Morgannwg strategic search area (SSA F).

Background

In January 2007 the Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) invited wind farm developers to bid for rights to seek planning permission for the construction of wind farms in areas of Assembly-owned woodland. Nuon assessed the feasibility of a wind farm in the Coed Morgannwg strategic search area and having confirmed an interest in developing a wind farm on Assembly land, submitted a tender. In April 2008 the First Minister Rhodri Morgan announced Nuon Renewables as the preferred developer on FCW woodland in both strategic search areas E and F. The signing of the agreements is the result of a rigorous process conducted by FCW to identify the most suitable companies with the ability to contribute towards the Assembly’s renewable targets. Nuon has now begun detailed survey and assessment work and expects to submit a planning application in 2009. If planning consent is awarded, Nuon expects to begin construction in 2011 with the first electricity being delivered in 2013.