The location identified for the proposed turbines has been chosen following a detailed site selection process, which considers a range of technical, environmental, and planning factors. These include available wind resources, grid connection availability, land availability, access, potential environmental effects, and proximity to residential properties.

There are several factors which limit the suitability of forestry land for turbine placement.

Firstly, turbines require specific spacing, ground conditions, and access routes to operate safely and efficiently, which are often not compatible with forestry planting layouts and management practices. In addition, large areas of felling would be required to create suitable turbine platforms and clearances, which can result in greater ecological disturbance than on open land.

In addition, felling and replanting cycles are carefully managed under forestry regulations, and the coexistence of turbines and forestry operations can present practical challenges. Forestry can also have an adverse impact on wind yield and operational performance when located within or in close proximity to a proposed development.

Forestry areas also support a range of important habitats and species, and their removal or modification would need to be assessed against strict environmental and regulatory requirements.

For these reasons, while forestry sites may initially appear to offer an opportunity for development, they often present greater environmental and technical challenges. The location identified for the proposed turbines has therefore been selected as the more appropriate option when balancing technical feasibility, environmental protection obligations, and planning policy requirements.
The assessments currently being undertaken will provide further details on the rationale for site selection, and this information will be shared as part of the consultation process.

We recognise the concerns raised regarding the potential impact on those living in closest proximity to the proposed turbines, and we do not underestimate the significance of these issues.

As part of the planning and consultation process, a series of detailed technical and environmental assessments are undertaken. These specifically address matters such as residential amenity, landscape and visual impact, noise, shadow flicker and potential effects on property. Where impacts are identified, appropriate mitigation measures will be considered in line with planning requirements and best practice guidance.

House prices are influenced by a wide range of complex macroeconomic factors – from prevailing financial conditions to interest rates, school catchment areas, and job availability – all of which play far more significant roles than whether a wind farm is nearby.

The available research suggests there is no consistent evidence to support the idea that living near a wind farm negatively affects the value of properties.
We take a nature-first approach in the design of all our energy parks. The area’s designation as one of outstanding natural beauty and its associated wildlife, the protection of the natural environment is a central consideration when we are developing our proposals. Rigorous environmental assessments are being carried out to ensure that potential effects on biodiversity and landscape character are fully understood and appropriately managed or mitigated.

We acknowledge that the site is not located within the pre-assessed areas identified in Future Wales and that the previous Strategic Search Areas (SSAs) were removed. However, national policy does not preclude renewable energy development outside of pre-assessed areas, if proposals can demonstrate compliance with planning policy, including robust assessment of landscape and visual impacts.

We recognise the sensitivity of the local landscape, particularly in relation to its designation and its value to local communities. For this reason, detailed landscape and visual impact assessments are being undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Other detailed assessments include heritage, peat, hydrology, mining, and a wide range of ecological surveys. These assessments will influence the emerging design and specifically consider the scale of the proposed turbines, their proximity to communities, and the potential cumulative effects, drawing on the lessons learned from previous proposals in the area.

The findings of these assessments will be published as part of the planning application to ensure full transparency. Where significant effects are identified, these will be clearly set out and mitigation measures considered in line with planning requirements.

The site is not located within any nationally designated landscapes. The closest nationally designated landscape is Snowdonia National Park approximately 3.2km to the north of the site boundary. The site is partially located within the Ceredigion Northern Uplands Special Landscape Area (SLA).

As part of the preparation of our application to PEDW we will be considering the impact of the project across a range of areas, including things like the landscape and visibility. Where any impacts are identified, we will seek to mitigate these as much as possible.

We will be seeking to engage with bodies like Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the National Park Authority early in our consultation to understand so that we are able to incorporate their views and feedback into our plans before submission.

Our initial proposal is to deliver up to a maximum of 37 turbines on the site. However, this will be subject to refinement as we get more information from our technical assessments (such as environmental impact, visual impact, and noise modelling) and surveys, as well as in response to feedback from community, specialist consultees and other stakeholders.

As part of our development stage, we will be carrying out a noise assessment that will be submitted to PEDW.  This will outline the noise that would be expected to be generated by the energy park in the context of the wider background noise from across the site and surrounding area.

To receive planning permission, we will need to demonstrate that the proposed turbines would meet the national guidelines for noise emissions. This also applies to work during the construction phase, and noises during this time will be closely managed and mitigated as much as possible through controlled measures, these include established work hours, noise management programmes, and delivery timings.

The delivery of turbine components is an important part of the planning process, and detailed transport assessments are being carried out to identify suitable routes.

At this stage, the proposed approach would be to utilise the existing road network as far as possible, with any upgrades or temporary works identified through the assessment process. The turbines would be delivered in sections using specialist vehicles, and all potential routes will be assessed for suitability in terms of road geometry, bridge capacity, safety, and minimising disruption to local communities.

The final transport route will be confirmed as part of the planning application, once the detailed studies have been completed and consulted upon with the relevant highway authorities. Where impacts are identified, mitigation measures such as temporary road improvements, traffic management plans, or timing restrictions will be put in place to reduce disruption.
We would welcome your feedback and insight on the local road network which may help inform our transport assessments.

We are still at a very early stage of identifying the best routes to ensure that traffic travelling to and from the site can do so safely and with minimal impact to the wider road network.

The detailed design of the energy park will evolve over the coming months, taking account of feedback from communities and statutory consultees, as well as ongoing environmental and technical assessments.

It is common for farmers to continue rearing livestock and / or grow 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.

During the construction period there would need to be managed access and limitations placed on the types of activities which could take place across the site.  However, once construction is complete and the energy park is operational, activities which take place on the site will be able to return to normal.

During the consultation phase there may be some need to reroute public rights of way due to construction and health and safety reasons. If this is required, we will apply for relevant consents and ensure communities are kept informed.

It is common for landowners to continue grazing livestock on land where wind turbines are located. Locals and visitors can continue to go walking or hiking on the land beneath turbines (subject to guidelines on specific parks) and we’re proud to be working with organisations such as the British Horse Society to shape our Recreational Framework to support horse riders.

The proposed development is being progressed on land where we either have agreements in place with landowners or are in discussions to secure the necessary rights. We work closely with landowners from the outset of a project and continue to engage directly with them throughout the duration of an energy park. The land is leased to Bute Energy for the 40-year period of the energy park.

At this stage, there are no plans for compulsory purchase. The siting of turbines is fully dependent on securing agreement from the relevant landowners, and no development in these areas would proceed without suitable agreement.

All negotiations are conducted in accordance with relevant legal frameworks and planning requirements, and the project team is committed to working collaboratively with landowners and local communities throughout the process.

We recognise the protection of the Dyfi Biosphere as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the importance of both its natural environment, and the sustainable way of life practiced by its local community.

We take a nature-first approach working to ensure that our designs are sensitive to the wider environment – aiming to create a net benefit to nature and biodiversity.

To ensure Waun Hesgog Energy Park is designed with care and sensitivity, we’ll be conducting extensive surveys on ecology, ornithology, hydrology, geology and soils and landscape.

These assessments will help inform our design proposals to ensure that our plans are sensitive to local wildlife, habitat and recreational use.

Proposed design measures, alongside compliance with legislation and best practice standards, will minimise the likelihood of a major accident or disaster. This primarily relates to the potential failure of a turbine’s structural integrity or a mechanical fault.  Modern turbines are equipped with advanced sensors that detect unsafe wind speeds and automatically shut the turbine down. This protects key components such as the gearbox, reduces wear and tear, and significantly lowers the risk of fire, blade failure, or structural damage.

RenewableUK (RUK) has published further information on how turbines are managed during extreme weather conditions in A Guide to Wind Farms in Storm Conditions.  We want to reassure the communities that would host our energy parks that safety is our highest priority. Should this project proceed, we are committed to a robust procurement process and will work only with experienced and responsible suppliers to ensure our turbines are built and maintained to the highest standards.

We recognise that peatland is a highly sensitive habitat, valued both for its biodiversity and its role in storing carbon and regulating water.

The potential presence of peat within the proposed site is being carefully assessed through detailed ground investigations as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Where peat is identified, the project will be designed to avoid or minimise disturbance as far as possible. Turbine and infrastructure locations are selected with the aim of reducing impacts on sensitive ground conditions, and specific construction methods can be employed to protect peat and hydrology.

We are fully aware of the risks associated with carbon release and changes to water retention capacity. The assessment process will therefore include a detailed peat management plan and hydrological study, setting out how peat resources will be safeguarded, how any potential impacts on flooding will be mitigated and, wherever possible, enhanced.

Protecting peatlands is a key consideration in both planning and environmental policy, and the project will need to demonstrate compliance with these requirements before it can proceed.

Green GEN Cymru will design, construct and maintain the grid connection for Waun Hesgog Energy Park.

More information about this proposed connection will be brought forward by Green GEN Cymru – www.greengencymru.com

As the generating capacity of the proposed energy park is more than 10MW of energy, it falls under the planning category known as a Development of National Significance (DNS).

DNS applications are submitted to Welsh Government Ministers to decide via Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). Local stakeholders and residents will therefore be able to provide their views at multiple stages of the planning process, including the pre-application and determination phases. The planned submission date for the DNS application is 2026.

Anyone can have their say on the proposals at this time by taking Bute’s short survey using the feedback platform Give My View. In addition to using Give My View at this early stage we will be out meeting with members of the public over the summer. We will then be writing to the residents and businesses living nearest to the site with more detailed information in the coming months to gather feedback on the project design in a community survey. Project information and the survey will be available on the website.

Bute Energy will undertake statutory consultation with local communities, specialist consultees and other stakeholders in spring 2026 before submission of an application for a Development of National Significance in autumn 2026. Local residents will be able to make representations during the examination and determination phases undertaken by PEDW and Welsh Ministers.

Our engagement with community councils has commenced and will continue over the coming months. We have seen a willingness from community councils to engage at this early stage, to find out more about the project and the opportunities it could present for local communities.

We recognise the importance of ensuring that local communities can share in the benefits of renewable energy projects.

In terms of reduced local energy bills, various models are currently being explored across the sector, including schemes that provide direct energy bill discounts or equivalent financial support for households within the local area.

Whilst there are existing models being used across the sector already – we strongly believe our approach is the most fair and inclusive model. Therefore, we have opted not to provide a share offer.

Our model will see us dedicate 25% of the Community Benefit Fund every year to develop small-scale energy generation projects in local communities – such as small-scale hydro, solar, or wind.

By combining our Community Benefit Fund and the expertise our suppliers will contribute via our Social Value Standard – we aim to de-risk the investment for the community and lead to more equitable access to ownership, without the burden of fundraising or personal investment.

This is different to existing models whereby a proportion of a project can be owned or co-owned by individuals or a community organisation through shares, enabling direct financial returns to be reinvested locally.

We’re keen to work with community energy schemes to develop projects that can help benefit the local area in many ways, such as the generation of energy for local buildings such as schools or selling the energy back into the national grid for money to be invested into the community.

We already offer support for emerging community projects through our Social Value Standard, take a look at this case study in Corwen.

The consultation process is an important part of shaping how benefits are delivered, and feedback such as this will directly inform the options that are considered.

The Community Benefit Fund will be administered through an independent energy charitable entity to support local communities to create legacy projects, support charities and groups and to improve services.

Waun Hesgog Energy Park is still at an early stage, but Bute Energy’s Community Investment team are already working with community representatives in the local areas to understand how they can support them both now and when the Fund becomes available when the energy park starts to generate electricity.

More information about how our Community Benefit Fund will be set up and managed is available on our Community page: Community Benefit Fund | Bute Energy

When we refer to “local” organisations, facilities, and groups, we mean those operating within the communities situated closest to the proposed development and those most likely to experience its direct effects. This typically includes towns, villages, and parishes within the immediate surrounding area.

In practice, the definition of “local” is not fixed and can vary depending on the type of initiative or investment being considered. For example, some opportunities may be most appropriately directed towards community groups or facilities located in the nearest settlements, while others may benefit from a wider catchment area where there is a clear link to the project’s impacts or benefits.

As the consultation progresses, we will continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that the scope of “local” is applied fairly and transparently, with priority given to the communities most directly affected by the development.

We’re committed to maximising the use of local supply chains and businesses to ensure that the investment, jobs and training potential of the project is maximised. We would encourage local business owners who are interested in future procurement opportunities to contact us with any enquiries.

We are currently at a very early stage of our project, however we would be keen to use the pre-application and determination phases to build up a network of local suppliers which will be taken forward into the project’s procurement phase, subject to receiving planning permission.

We fully acknowledge the cultural and heritage value of the landscape and understand concerns regarding how new development may affect it.

As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a comprehensive Cultural Heritage Assessment is being undertaken. This will examine both designated and non-designated heritage assets, as well as the wider historic landscape character, to understand potential direct and indirect impacts of the proposed turbines. The assessment will also consider the contribution that setting and views make to the significance of heritage assets.

National planning policy recognises the need to balance the protection of cultural and historic environments with the transition to renewable energy. Our approach will therefore be to demonstrate, through evidence, how potential impacts can be avoided, reduced, or appropriately mitigated, and to ensure that the heritage value of the area is fully considered in decision-making.

The feedback provided through this consultation is an important part of that process and will help inform the assessment and design of the project.

When the energy park reaches the end of its working life, it will be responsibly decommissioned in line with the regulations and best practice in place at the time. A legal agreement with the Local Planning Authority will confirm that the Energy Park owner is responsible for ensuring decommissioning is carried out. The principles for how this process is managed and funded will be agreed as part of a detailed Decommissioning Plan that will require approval from the Local Planning Authority before work begins on site. This ensures that there are robust legal and monetary (for example, a decommissioning bond) safeguards in place to ensure decommissioning goes ahead as planned.