Rheola

Proposal

The proposed development is in the Rheola Forest in the Neath valley, 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 the Forestry Commission Wales and it is anticipated that the project will have a capacity of up to 24 MW. The wind farm if built could provide up to 24% of the 100 MW target for the Pontardawe strategic search area (SSAE).

Background

In January 2007 the Forestry Commission Wales 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 Pontardawe 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 for this area in strategic search areas E and Assembly-owned woodland in strategic search area 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 will be given a lease to develop the wind farm by the Forestry Commission Wales and expect to begin construction in 2011 with the first electricity being delivered in 2013.