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A major wind farm development planned for Caerphilly County Borough could see communities benefit from up to £1 million a year in funding.

Around 20 wind turbines measuring 200 metres high could be built on a site north of Senghenydd, near the border with Rhondda Cynon Taf, in an area already designated by the Welsh Government as suitable for a wind farm.

The company behind the development, Bute Energy, said plans are still at a very early stage. If all goes according to plan, the wind farm could be up and running by the end of 2025 – generating enough electricity to power 114,000 homes each year.

Matthew Haughton, project manager at Bute Energy said: “We are in the process of scoping our application and have undertaken early stage feasibility assessments of the site, the findings of which have informed our current design assumptions.

“More detailed assessment will continue over the next 12 months through the point of lodging our future planning application. The final design will also respond to the feedback obtained from our ongoing and future stakeholder engagement.”

As the wind farm is deemed a ‘Development of National Significance’, the Welsh Government will have the final planning say, and not Caerphilly County Borough Council, on whether the project goes ahead.

If built, the wind farm could be operational for between 35 and 45 years.

An application is due to be submitted next year, with Welsh Ministers expected to make a decision by the end of 2023. Construction could begin by mid-2024.

Wind farm to create windfall for community projects

Communities surrounding the wind farm, which will be called Twyn Hywel Energy Park, could receive up to £1m a year in funding for various grassroots projects. At a time when funding for projects is scarce, the wind farm could be transformative for the likes of Senghenydd, Abertridwr and Nelson, as well as Cilfynydd in neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Mr Haughton explained: “The community benefit fund we propose equates to £7,500 per megawatt of installed capacity, which is significantly greater than the industry standard to date. This could mean an annual fund in the region of £1m to be invested into the local community.

“Our approach of working with communities at this early stage of the development process will help ensure the most sensible, ambitious, and meaningful projects can be identified for such an investment.

“Over the coming months we will be working with community partners to build a framework for delivery of a package of benefits to the communities surrounding the project with the aim of identifying and contributing to community interests. We aim to create a lasting legacy?which enhances economic prosperity, creates employment and educational opportunities throughout the lifetime of the project and for future generations.”

One such project that could benefit is Senghenydd Youth Drop In Centre (SYDIC).

Caerphilly Observer has written extensively in the past about SYDIC’s funding troubles – it even faced permanent closure just before the pandemic.

Five years ago the organisation came up with its own small scale wind turbine project to fund its activities – unfortunately the economics of the project changed meaning it was no longer viable.

However the development offers hope for the future.

Project manager Dave Brunton, who has run SYDIC for more than two decades, said: “Wind energy benefits the environment, but is also a valuable potential income stream for organisations such as SYDIC in Senghennydd and the Aber Valley. We work in partnership with the young people and the local community to develop participation in community projects, development and sustainability.

“If Bute secures permission for a new wind farm, this could provide significant support for SYDIC and we would obviously want to look to be an ongoing partner amongst others in the long-term community investment fund proposed.

“It’s still early days, but I hope this opportunity is explored fully. I look forward to working with many other groups in the surrounding communities in providing Bute with feedback on their forthcoming designs for the project.”

Green energy the future for Caerphilly County Borough

Not far down the road, Caerphilly County Borough Council is planning to build Wales’ largest council-owned solar farm overlooking Penyrheol and Abertridwr.

The ambitious project has already had early-stage funding of £434,000 approved to further develop the project.

The solar farm, like the wind farm, would be classed as a ‘Development of National Significance’ with Welsh Government having the final say on a planning decision rather than Caerphilly County Borough Council.

About 6,000 homes a year would be powered with the solar farm. It is estimated that 40 jobs will be created through the lifetime of the development of at least 35 years.

The solar farm and wind farm projects would see Caerphilly County Borough become a net exporter of generated electricity.

Caerphilly County Borough Council is holding online video meetings as part of its public consultation on the solar farm.
Thursday, August 12, 2.30pm to 4pm
Monday, August 16, 4.30pm to 6.30pm
Tuesday, August 17, 10.30am to 12pm
People interested in attending should contact Teamcaerphilly@caerphilly.gov.uk or 01443 811484.

Opposition already voiced

The council’s solar farm plans were met with some vocal opposition on social media when they were announced. Residents are not happy with its potential visual impact.

Plaid Cymru’s Lindsay Whittle, who represents the Penyrheol ward on Caerphilly County Borough Council, said he was against part of the farm being built – the red and amber zones as depicted on council maps and images.

The red zone has already been dropped from plans.

He said: “People in Caerphilly are already furious at the loss of many fields to housing and while they will, by and large, be in favour of alternative energy they will now surely start to question ‘why us again?'”

Cllr Whittle also said that 20 wind turbines for the Bute Energy project is “just too many”.

Voices of residents ‘vital’

Caerphilly’s Labour Senedd Member Hefin David said the voices of residents are “vital” in shaping plans for the wind farm.

He said: “The key priority for any windfarm proposal must be discussion with nearby communities. There appears to be a substantial benefit to those communities in the form of annual funding and clean energy.

“I urge the company involved to establish local groups of residents to scrutinise their proposals.

“As we see the effects of climate change in Wales in the form of flooding and hotter weather, we must take these opportunities to develop environmentally friendly sources of electricity.”

More information on the wind farm project can be found at twynhywelenergypark.wales