Local communities thanked for their feedback on proposed Llyn Lort Energy Park

Welsh renewable energy developer Bute Energy is thanking communities for having their say on plans for the Llyn Lort Energy Park, which could generate enough clean, green energy to power the equivalent of nearly 144,000 homes.

The project 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.

The first round of consultation, which ran from 6 September to 18 October 2023, saw three drop-in sessions held locally in Llanfair Caereinion, Carno, and Cefn Coch, where people could view information, talk to the project team and have their say. Following this round of public consultation, all feedback received will be carefully considered, along with reports from environmental and technical surveys, ahead of the next round of public consultation – expected in summer 2024.

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.

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.

Iain Foster, Project Manager at Bute Energy said:

“It has been good to speak to local people about our plans and talk about the important role renewable energy has to play in responding to the Climate Emergency. 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 clean, green energy to our homes and businesses, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and supporting the Welsh Government’s target for electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035.

“We really appreciate people taking the time to let us know their thoughts on our initial proposals, and we will take them into account, alongside environmental and technical surveys, ahead of the next round of public consultation – expected in summer 2024.

“Local people also told us how the project’s Community Benefit Fund could support projects and causes close to their heart. Our Community Benefit team is 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.”

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 currently expect to finalise and 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 Green GEN Vyrnwy Frankton, a new overhead line to be built by Green GEN Cymru, part of the Bute Energy Group.

Bute Energy has a vision of a healthier, wealthier Wales that uses energy generation as a positive power for the world, for Wales, for local communities – for this and future generations. The company is based in Cardiff and is tackling the Climate Emergency by powering Wales with clean, green energy, and empowering our communities through investment, jobs and skills.

The company is also working with local education, training, and employability providers to create inclusive employment pathways to enter the renewable energy industry. This includes work with colleges to enhance the provision of green skill development programmes available locally, including creating green skills centres of excellence across Wales, enabling a pipeline of talent for the renewable energy industry.