Bute Energy thank local communities for their engagement and feedback

Welsh renewable energy developer Bute Energy thanks local residents and groups in Powys for their feedback and engagement on proposals for the Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern Energy Parks.

The projects respond 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.

They 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.

During the first round of consultation in November and December 2023, over 400 people attended the three public events which were held locally in Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, and Penybont.  Those attending had an opportunity to view the information available at this early stage and talk to the project team.

Following this round of public consultation, all feedback received by the project team will be carefully considered, along with reports from environmental and technical surveys, ahead of the next round of public consultation – expected in Winter 2024.

The two proposed Energy Parks are located east of Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells in Powys, with Bryn Gilwern being completely within a Welsh Government Pre-Assessed Area for large-scale onshore wind energy.

Combined, the proposed Energy Parks will have up to 34 turbines with a maximum height of 220m at Bryn Gilwern and 200m at Aberedw. Once operational, they will be capable of producing approximately 192MW of clean, green energy. The Energy Parks will connect to the electricity transmission network via the proposed Green GEN Cymru Towy Usk green energy network to be built by Green GEN Cymru, part of the Bute Energy Group.

Bute Energy are committed to working with and supporting the communities where they develop their projects. As part of the Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern Energy Park proposals, two Community Benefits Funds will be established, which combined, are currently anticipated to deliver around £1.4m 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 awards 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 Bute’s investment in Wales for the benefit of local communities.

James Nicol, Project Manager at Bute Energy said:

“We are pleased to have spoken to local communities about our plans, and the role that developments like this can 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 this clean, green energy to our homes and businesses. Our projects will support the Welsh Government’s target for electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035.

“Thank you to all those who have engaged with us so far, we greatly appreciate people taking the time to let us know their thoughts on our early stage proposals, we will take them into account, alongside environmental and technical surveys, ahead of the next round of public consultation – expected in winter 2024.”

The proposed Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern Energy Parks are classed as Developments of National Significance. This means that Bute Energy will make two separate applications to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), which will make a recommendation to Welsh Ministers on whether or not to grant planning permission. Bute Energy currently expect to submit a planning application to PEDW in 2025, after thorough public consultation.