FAQs

Much of the Twyn Hywel site lies 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. An extensive package of (both site based and desk-based) technical and environmental feasibility assessments have been undertaken over the past two years and have demonstrated to us that the site is optimal for renewable energy generation. This site has been identified as having an excellent wind energy resource and is free of many constraints which can preclude renewable energy development such as environmental designations. 

The site will consist of:

• Up to 14 wind turbines.
• Associated infrastructure including a substation, control building, wind measurement equipment and temporary construction and storage compounds.
• An access track from the A472 to the north of the site.
• Underground power cables linking the site to the National Grid at Cilfynydd substation.
• Access and recreational route upgrades.
• An area of compensatory grazing land.

We first consulted on our proposals for the project in 2021.  Future detailed infrastructure plans were brought forward for consultation in 2023, and our final application was given the go ahead in 2024 by Welsh Government.

The Twyn Hywel Energy Park proposal is greater than 10MW which means that it was considered by the Welsh Government’s Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) as a Development of National Significance (DNS). The application included an Environmental Impact Assessment in accordance with Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017 (as amended). 

Consultation with statutory consultees has informed the design and scope of assessment of the turbines at Twyn Hywel. These consultees also reviewed and provided comment on the final planning application. 

After submission of the DNS planning application representations were made by local planning authorities and statutory consultees such as Caerphilly Council. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Natural Resources Wales, local residents, and many others to inform the Planning Inspectorate’s assessment of the planning application. 

The project lies largely within Eglwysilan Common and adjacent grazing land. A request for consent under the Commons Act 2006 has been brought forward as applications for Secondary Consents in parallel to the Twyn Hywel Energy Park planning application, including detailed plans for replacement land for recreation and grazing and; detailed assessment of the interaction of infrastructure and the common land. 

Biodiversity: Twyn Hywel Energy Park proposals support biodiversity enhancements such as restoring native habitats within the site and maintaining habitat management areas. The open moorland, with irregular grazing fields and areas of natural woodland, make up most of the site and will be maintained as well as the public rights of way. 

Jobs: There will be numerous opportunities for local businesses to tap into work opportunities in the area – mainly through sub-contracts through our tier 1 suppliers. We’ve also teamed up with Big Issue Recruit to fund a coach who will support people in the area to go for jobs relating to the energy park. 

Skills and education: We’re always on the road speaking to schools and colleges who have invited us to speak to their students about careers in the green economy. We’ll continue supporting the education sector in RCT and Caerphilly to deliver aspects of the Welsh curriculum in relation to climate education and upskilling.  We’re keeping local colleges in the loop about upcoming apprentice or internship opportunities with our suppliers as well. 

Social value: All our suppliers have a contracted duty to contribute meaningfully to the area through social value.  Up to 2% of their contract value could be invest into local infrastructure improvements, upskilling or even volunteering.  Our Community Investment team will guide them on where best to delivery that social value. 

Recreation on site: We’re working hard behind the scenes to ensure that the site can continue offering recreational activities for the community after the park has been built. Thanks to partners including the British Horse Society, we’ll also look to improve recreational access where we can. 

Community Benefit Fund:  Based on the current proposed capacity from the project, the community benefit fund would result in more than £30M (in present day terms before controlling for inflation) of local investment throughout the lifetime of the energy park. 

We are introducing a new shared ownership model, giving communities the opportunity to collectively own up to 15% of Twyn Hywel Energy Park. This is currently being developed, and we will share more information with the community once it is available. 

Twyn Hywel is bringing immediate, tangible investments into the local community. The construction phase is estimated to support 300 jobs.  

Knights Brown have contracted a number of sub-contractors to support the construction including 7 Steel, Nordex Group and Terra Firma . This means that 90% of our expenditure on civil engineering works will be with local and Welsh suppliers. 

Through our primary contractors, we are actively prioritising Welsh businesses, committing to spend 80% of our operations and maintenance budget locally.  

Additionally, our partner Knights Brown is funding 3 apprenticeships and 4 full-time positions via Big Issue Recruit to help local people get into the green energy workforce. You can read about this collaboration here. 

Yes. While our main community benefit fund will deliver £704,000 every single year once the park is operational (totalling £31 million over 40 years), we want to support the community from day one.  

Because of this, £140,000 of the community benefit fund is being made available specifically during the construction phase to jumpstart local priorities.  

You can find out more and apply by visiting the community benefit fund section of the website. 

We have undertaken a detailed assessment of impacts to the local road network during construction. We have produced a Construction Traffic Management Plan in consultation with the Local Planning Authority., which  sets out a number of important measures to help minimise impacts. 

Delivery route: Any components not made in the UK will arrive at Swansea and will be transported along the Turbine delivery route. We have undertaken a detailed assessment of impacts to the local road network during construction. We’re producing a Construction Traffic Management Plan in consultation with the council, which will set out a number of important measures to help minimise impacts and be transported to the site by road.  

Site access: Vehicles will access the site from the north via a newly constructed junction on the A472 link road near Nelson.  

Traffic management: We are working closely with the council on a Construction Traffic Management Plan. To keep local roads moving, major deliveries will be timed to avoid school runs and peak rush hours.  

Post-construction: Once the energy park is built, traffic will drop significantly, requiring only occasional weekly maintenance visits.  

Construction began in June 2026 and will take approximately 18 to 20 months to complete. The project is broken down into four main phases:  

Key milestone: The project is expected to generate its first power (energisation) in late 2027 and will be fully operational in early 2028.  

You will see a temporary increase in traffic, including heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and large “abnormal loads” carrying turbine parts and transformers for the substation. This may cause temporary disruption on the road.  

To minimise disruption, we will share travel updates well in advance via:  

• Letters and postcards: Advance work notices mailed directly to nearby homes.  

• On the road: Clear roadside signage and information boards will be displayed.  

• Digital updates: Regular updates on our website, social media channels, and community newsletters.  

Information on any road closures, diversions or significant traffic impacts will be shared in advance to help residents plan journeys and minimise disruption. 

We will operate under standard working hours for the vast majority of our activities. Weather conditions, delivery delays, and what other factors may mean that we will need to operate outside standard working hours. 

Our operating hours are between:  

• Monday–Friday: 08:00–18:00 
• Saturday: 09:00–13:00 
• Sundays and public holidays: No routine construction activity.  

If we ever need to work outside these hours, such as for a large, continuous concrete pour or a specialised equipment delivery, we will endeavour to notify notify the community ahead of time.  

Yes. Public access to Eglwysilan Common will be maintained wherever it is safe and practical to do so.  

For your safety, some specific areas may require temporary restrictions or short-term diversions. When this happens, we promise to:  

• Clearly signpost alternative walking or riding routes.  

• Give the community advance notice of any changes.  

• Keep all restrictions as short and limited as possible.  

Early works are the initial, essential steps needed to prepare the site so that major construction can happen safely, efficiently, and with the right environmental protections in place.  

These activities include setting up our temporary site offices, managing local forestry and vegetation, conducting land surveys, and improving site access. All early works are strictly confined to approved areas and follow agreed-upon environmental management plans. 

On average, vehicle numbers will vary depending on the construction phase. However, during peak construction periods, we estimate there will be up to 80  vehicle movements per day.  

To minimise the impact of this traffic on local residents, a Construction Traffic Management Plan is being developed. This ensures that major deliveries and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are carefully timed to avoid peak travel times and school runs wherever possible.  

Once construction is complete, traffic will drop significantly, with only occasional vehicles visiting the site for maintenance. 

We are committed to being a responsible neighbour and reducing any environmental impacts on the local community.  

To prevent mud from being dragged onto public highways and to keep the air clear around the access road, our contractors will use active mitigation measures, including regular road sweepers and dust suppression systems (such as water spraying) during dry or windy conditions.  

All activities will be strictly managed in accordance with approved environmental management plans to ensure local roads remain safe and clean for everyone.

Before moving any equipment, we undertook extensive environmental assessments and technical design work. Preconstruction ecological surveys were undertaken and a Construction Environmental Management Plan has been developed, which the construction team will follow to ensure the project follows the agreed  planning regulations. 

Contractors like Knights Brown and Nordex are bound by strict ecological safeguards to protect local habitats, control noise, and manage dust. Furthermore, the project’s long-term plan includes restoring native habitats to actively boost local biodiversity. Contractor compliance will be monitored by the Ecological Clerk of Works. 

Open and honest communication is central to how we work. If you have a question, concern, or feedback regarding construction activities, you can reach out directly to our community liaison team be email or phone.  

You can reach the Twyn Hywel Energy Park team through the following options: 

• Email: twynhywel@bute.energy  

• Phone: 02920 023682 (available during normal office hours). 

• Mail: Bute Energy, Hodge House, Guildhall Place, Cardiff, CF10 1DY. 

• Media Enquiries: For media questions, please call our press team on 0800 669 6515 

Approximately 1,000 metres cubed concrete is required per turbine. This varies depending on the turbine tip height, supplier and ground conditions.

We have a grid connection agreement in place with National Grid at Cilfynydd substation, approximately 3km to the north of the energy park. 

Underground cables will connect the turbines to the electricity grid, preventing the need for additional overhead pylons. The cable route is approximately 4km long

We are introducing a new shared ownership model, giving communities the opportunity to collectively own up to 15% of Twyn Hywel Energy Park. This is currently being developed, and we will share more information with the community once it is available. 

We are exploring new investment for Twyn Hywel that will change the ownership of the project. This will enable us to reinvest in our other projects across Wales. The community benefit fund, shared ownership, and local investment model will remain at the heart of the project, regardless of  who owns Twyn Hywel Energy Park. 

It is common for farmers to continue rearing livestock and / or growing crops on land where wind turbines are located. There are many examples of land next to and below wind turbines being used for a range of recreational activities, from walking and running, to cycling and horse riding.

Because of this, £140,000 of the community benefit fund is being made available specifically during the construction phase to jumpstart local priorities.  

You can find out more and apply by visiting the community benefit fund section of the website. 

Technology has advanced significantly since many of the existing operational wind energy parks were constructed, and innovation continues at pace.

Larger turbines can deliver greater installed capacity and therefore require fewer turbines to generate larger amounts of energy than we otherwise could with smaller turbines. This can also deliver reduced environmental impacts.

New machines are also more efficient at generating energy under different weather conditions and over a longer period. They are engineered to be quieter than existing smaller models.

Available research (click to follow link) suggests there is no consistent evidence to support the idea that wind energy parks affect local house prices, and further research is ongoing by the industry.

We understand that public attitudes to onshore wind vary, but are generally positive. Government and other polls consistently indicate between 70 and 80% of the population supports onshore wind, and a poll in 2022 found that 76% of people support building renewable energy projects in their local area. The recent Cavendish Cymru Energy Polling Report October 2025 found that 63% of respondents would support onshore wind in their area, while 21% would oppose.

Tourism is an important part of the local economy across Wales.

Evidence from other parts of the UK shows that wind energy parks and strong visitor economies can successfully coexist. The Study into the Potential Economic Impact of Wind Farms on Welsh Tourism found there to be negligible impact on the national tourism sector, and no evidence that wind energy parks on visitor routes deter tourists.

The report found that there are some potential positive impacts on tourism resulting from renewable energy, with projects enhancing existing visitor attractions, while others help provide investment in visitor facilities.

There are occasions where wind energy parks are paid not to generate. This typically happens in Scotland, where the transmission infrastructure isn’t yet strong enough to support all generation when wind speeds are high – certain wind energy parks will be paid constraint payments.

The same systematic issue is not present in Wales, although it is still possible constraints would occur under specific conditions (e.g. grid outage). Pen y Cymoedd has been constrained on few occasions but generally, very few constraints occur in Wales. Our projects are designed to operate without public subsidy and tie in with new grid and grid upgrade projects to ensure the electricity that is generated can be used efficiently.