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Development of a major wind farm in Caerphilly County Borough is still on track, the company behind the scheme has said.
Around 14 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.
This is a reduction from the 20 originally earmarked in August last year.
According to the company behind the development, Cardiff-based Bute Energy, the wind farm could be up and running by the end of 2025 – generating enough electricity to power around 80,000 homes each year.
Communities surrounding the wind farm, which will be called Twyn Hywel Energy Park, could still receive a substantial windfall for grassroots projects despite the reduction in the number of turbines. Senghenydd, Abertridwr and Nelson, as well as Cilfynydd in neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taf, are all set to benefit – and some projects have already started receiving money, like the Senghenydd Youth Drop-in Centre.
The community benefit Bute Energey is willing to offer is still at £7,500 per megawatt of installed capacity. Fourteen turbines, each with a capacity of 6.6MW, means £693,000 could now be available – but this could increase if better, more efficient turbines become available by the time of installation.
Bute Energy have already been holding early-stage public consultation events and more are planned as the project moves ahead.
Concerns have been raised by online groups around the area’s historic importance, but the company has said all scheduled ancient monuments will be avoided and that a full survey will take place.
Twyn Hywel Project Manager Matthew Haughton said: “We have been delighted with the overwhelmingly positive and constructive feedback to our Twyn Hywel Energy Park proposals. The project team have worked hard to produce a design which responds to the extensive feedback received from community members, consultees and environmental experts over the past year.
“We look forward to presenting the full proposals through our consultation in the coming months, and continuing to work with both residents and groups within each of the surrounding communities to shape the future community investment fund, ensuring tangible and lasting benefits are realised through the development of this project.”
The company has said it will also be holding a ‘meet the buyer’ event in the coming months to meet local contractors and suppliers.
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