PLANS for two more energy parks in Powys, which would see another 34 wind turbines built, have been announced.

Renewable energy developer Bute Energy’s latest proposals would see windfarms built on two sites near Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells.

News of the Aberedw Energy Park and Bryn Gilwern Energy Park projects was announced today, triggering consultation periods that will run for the next six weeks.

The Aberedw Energy Park would be built on high ground, near Aberedw south of Builth. The Bryn Gilwern Energy Park could see turbines and associated infrastructure on Gilwern Hill, between Builth and Llandrindod and just west of Hundred House.

County Times: A map at a public exhibition held earlier this year in Builth shows proposals for 6 energy parks in the Powys and wider Mid Wales area. A map at a public exhibition held earlier this year in Builth shows proposals for 6 energy parks in the Powys and wider Mid Wales area. (Image: Matt Jones)

Combined, the proposed energy parks will have up to 34 turbines with a maximum height of 220 metres at Bryn Gilwern and 200 metres at Aberedw. London’s The Shard is 310m, and only 11 buildings in the UK stand taller than 200m.

Consultation on the new sites will run until December 20, with three exhibitions being held in Powys later this month.

The first will be held at Builth’s Strand Hall on Thursday, November 23, from 2.30-6.30pm; the second at Penybont and District Community Centre on Friday, November 24, from 10.30am-2.30pm; and the third at Llandrindod’s Media Resource Centre on Oxford Road, from 12-4pm.

In this first round of consultation, Bute Energy would like to hear the local community’s views on proposals, including the location of the turbines, buildings, equipment and access routes.

Feedback will then be considered, along with environmental, technical, and ecological surveys, before further consultations.

OTHER NEWS:

James Nicol, senior project manager at Bute Energy, said: “We’re pleased to be launching the proposed Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern Energy Parks.

“Together they respond to the climate emergency, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and support the Welsh Government’s target for electricity to be 100 per cent renewable by 2035.

“There is endless potential for renewable energy in Wales – particularly from the wind that blows across our hills and mountains.

“Bute Energy is taking action now to help deliver this clean, green energy to our homes and businesses."

Bute says the projects could generate enough energy to power the equivalent of over 175,000 homes.

Once operational, they will be capable of producing approximately 192MW of energy. The parks will connect to the electricity transmission network via the proposed Green GEN Cymru Towy Usk  newtwork, a 60-mile line of pylons through Powys from Nant Mithil Energy Park in the Radnor Forest to Carmarthen.

Bute said the Bryn Gilwern site sits within a Welsh Government pre-assessed area for large-scale onshore wind energy.

County Times: People in Powys have made their feelings clear on the Bute Energy proposals. This sign is situated on the side of the A483 just outside Cilmery. People in Powys have made their feelings clear on the Bute Energy proposals. This sign is situated on the side of the A483 just outside Cilmery. (Image: Matt Jones)

The proposed Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern Energy Parks are classed as developments of national significance, which means that two separate applications to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) will be made.

PEDW will then make a recommendation to Welsh ministers on whether or not to grant planning permission.

Bute Energy says it expects to submit a planning application to PEDW in 2025, following public consultation.

County Times: Powys County Times readers can subscribe for just £5 for 5 months

Bute says it will establish two community benefit funds – which it says would deliver around £1.4 million worth of investment per year locally.

Bute Energy’s community benefits team will also attend the three public events, to identify local groups and services to engage with, to help understand the needs of the communities and how to best deliver investment and benefit for the local area.

Information on both projects can be viewed at www.aberedwenergypark.wales and www.bryngilwernenergypark.wales, while feedback can also be given.