Welsh renewable energy developer launches consultation on Llyn Lort Energy Park plans

Welsh renewable energy developer Bute Energy has announced plans for the Llyn Lort Energy Park, which could generate enough clean, green energy to power the equivalent of 144,000 homes.

The Llyn Lort Energy Park responds to the climate emergency, and will contribute to a stronger, more resilient renewable electricity supply for homes and businesses and help meet the Welsh Government’s target for the country’s electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035.

It will support the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with local, national and international targets and the declared Climate Emergency.

Located southwest of Llanerfyl and west of Cefn Coch in Powys and entirely within a Pre-Assessed Area for large-scale onshore wind energy according to the Welsh Government’s National Development Framework, Future Wales: The National Plan 2040, the proposed Llyn Lort Energy Park includes up to 25 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 220m. Once operational, the Energy Park could generate approximately 165MW of clean, green energy.

Bute Energy are committed to working with and supporting communities where they develop their projects. As part of the Llyn Lort Energy Park project, a Community Benefit Fund will be established which is currently anticipated to deliver around £1.2m worth of investment per year locally.

The company’s Community Benefit team are focused on creating pathways for local people to gain employment, ensuring best practice access to our energy parks and working with local schools and community facilities to help reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint.

In addition to the fund, Bute Energy is committed to ensuring as much investment stays as local as possible. Each contract Bute Energy award during development and construction will see partners sign up to a Social Value Standard, which will support and direct partners to invest jobs, time, resources and money into the communities near projects, aiming to keep as much of our investment in Wales for the benefit of local communities.

An initial round of public consultation runs from Wednesday 6 September to Wednesday 18 October 2023, with public drop-in sessions and webinars to allow people to view information and have their say.

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

All comments received, alongside environmental and technical assessments, will be considered as detailed plans for the Energy Park are developed.

Bute Energy’s Community Benefit team will also be attending the events, focused on identifying local groups and services to engage with now to understand the needs and aspirations of the communities and how investment can deliver the maximum benefit for the local area.

Iain Foster, Project Manager at Bute Energy said:

“We’re pleased to be launching the proposed Llyn Lort Energy Park, which responds to the Climate Emergency, reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and supports the Welsh Government’s target for electricity to be 100% 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.

“We want to hear the views of local people on our plans, so we can take them into account as we develop the project. And we want to hear from local people how we can help support projects and tackle issues in communities around the site – so we can deliver real benefits to local people.”

You can find full details on our project website www.llynlortenergypark.wales, where you can also give us your feedback. We are also holding public exhibitions where you can find out more about our plans and ask our project team any questions you have about the project:

• Saturday 23 September, 11am–4pm: Llanfair Caereinion Public Hall & Institute, Bridge Street, Llanfair Caereinion SY21 0RY
• Monday 25 September, 3.30pm–7.30pm: Carno Community Centre, Carno SY17 5LH
• Tuesday 26 September, 3pm–7pm: Cefn Coch Inn, Cefn Coch, Welshpool SY21 0AE

The proposed Llyn Lort Energy Park is classed as a Development of National Significance. This means that Bute Energy will apply to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) and a decision on the application will be made by Welsh Ministers. Bute Energy current expect to submit a planning application to PEDW in late 2024, after thorough public engagement.

Llyn Lort Energy Park will connect to the electricity transmission network via a new overhead line to be built by Green GEN Cymru, part of the Bute Energy Group.