Carnedd Wen Wind Farm and Habitat Restoration Project

Carnedd Wen Wind Farm and Habitat Restoration Project

RWE npower renewables has submitted proposals for Carnedd Wen Wind Farm and Habitat Restoration Project – a greener energy scheme of potentially national significance, and incorporating one of the most extensive habitat restoration schemes in Wales.

On Tuesday, 13 March, 2012, Powys County Council voted to oppose RWE npower renewables’ proposals for the wind farm. Its views will now be forwarded to the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) which, in line with UK planning policy, is the finally decision making body for all wind farms which are over 50megawatts (MW) in output. Click here to see RWE NRL's reaction to this decision.

The development would be sited around 25km west of Welshpool, with a northern boundary that joins the A458 trunk road.

The proposals have changed since first submission, with the proposed wind farm and its associated impacts reduced in scale.

See how the project has changed

If consented, the wind farm and wider habitat proposals could offer significant local and national benefits:

Potential for major local environmental improvements, as part of a 50 year habitat restoration scheme, including:

• important new habitat measures to protect one of Wales rarest birds – the Black Grouse – and new habitats for Hen Harrier
• Restoration of a significant habitat of blanket bog and flush habitats
• Protection and enhancement of 400 hectares of internationally important peat.

Significant economic investment and business opportunities for the local and Welsh supply chain (also see our page Backing Business in Mid Wales), through the construction, operation and maintenance of the wind farm and habitat scheme. An independent study by economic development consultancy Regeneris, reports:

• during construction, Carnedd Wen could create up to 50 full time equivalent jobs and lever in £14million to the local economies of Mid and North Wales
• ongoing operations and maintenance could account for a further 24 full time jobs and £1.3million into the economy
• Investment of Community Benefit could create up to 32 jobs, depending on how the investment is targeted.

Important economic benefits for local communities, through the investment of at least £12.5million (and up to £18.8million) economic benefit fund over the project lifetime, payable and administered locally:

• £260,000 per year would be allocated to support communities and local projects in the immediate vicinity of the wind farm
• additional community funding would be allocated for economic development projects in the wider area
• funding could support training and employment opportunities.

Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI):
Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) has been produced by SKM Enviros on behalf of RWE NRL, and this has been submitted to DECC for consideration as part of the application.

An electronic file version of the SEI is available for download. Because of the size of the entire document, the SEI has been split into smaller files so that it is easier and quicker for you to download and view the specific sections that you are interested in.
A Non-Technical Summary of the SEI is also available for download, please visit the Supplementary Environmental Information page for more details.