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“I do appreciate people’s concerns – wind doesn’t always blow,” said Jenny Cowley, the Development Project Manager from electricity generation company RWE, but that doesn’t seem to be a particular concern for their proposed onshore wind farm at Pen March.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been up there, up on-site, on a day that they wouldn’t have been generating,” Jenny said of the site where there is a plan to erect six 180-metre turbines (to tip) on common land between Rhymney and Merthyr Tydfil.  

“It’s a small project but it will make a difference,” said Jenny. “We’ve quoted 24,500 homes but that’s on 28.5 megawatts so that’s a conservative figure,” she added. It is possible the wind farm will create in the region of 30 to 36 megawatts – subject to planning and technological changes. 

The wind farm will cross into Caerphilly and Merthyr County Boroughs and slightly into Powys County Council and the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is a Development of National Significance so planning permission rests with the Welsh Government.

Still, statutory consultations have been held online and in the local areas for people to come and talk about the plans or to voice their concerns. There has been a shift in people’s perceptions compared to consultations for previous projects, according to Jenny. 

With fewer negative responses and some people even getting in touch to say positive things such as “good luck”, and “can’t wait” or remarking how important the project is as “we’re in a climate emergency.” 

This last point, as well as the impact of high energy bills, seems to be having a big effect. “The issues in Ukraine and Russian gas and all the rest of it,” said Jenny. “It is making people think.”

Cllr Carl Cuss, who represents the Twyn Carno ward, has seen a similar reaction from people in the community. 

He said: “I have not [had] many concerns. Not as much as I did with Pen Bryn Oer application,” Cllr Cuss added of the pre-existing three-turbine wind farm on Merthyr Road, Rhymney operated by REG Windpower/BlackRock. 

“People are seeing how much their energy bills are going up at the moment,” he said, adding that self-reliance would be a positive step as dependence has contributed to a rise in fuel prices, with gas prices up by 141% since winter 2021/22, according to statistics from the House of Commons Library. 

There are, however, still some reservations in the upper Rhymney Valley.

“In terms of the town of Rhymney I haven’t had [many] concerns about it. When you go further, Princetown and the farms that surround it, obviously they are going to be concerned. It is right on their doorstep,” said Cllr Cuss. 

This is the case for, Mike Davies, 63, who lives in Princetown near the Prince of Wales pub.

“I was sitting there one day thinking it’s really nice,” he said of the view of the rolling hillsides from his home. “It just [became] the green and pleasant land it used to be.”

He feels like things were manageable after the three turbines at Pen Bryn Oer were built but will be made worse by the Pen March Wind Farm. 

“I suppose you kind of [get] used to them,” he said of the wind turbines. “But again? Why are we being asked to get used to it again?” he added, suggesting that being surrounded on all sides by wind turbines may impact people’s mental well-being not to mention the visual impact it will have on the local landscape. 

“I just think, this area has been…utilised for centuries hasn’t it?” Mike said of this area of the Valleys, “It’s been raped almost.” Yet, he sees the construction of wind farms as a nationwide problem too. 

“You can’t come out of your house almost anywhere in Wales now without seeing a wind turbine.”

There are 8,827 onshore wind turbines across the UK according to trade association renewableUK, but only 162 turbines consented in Wales compared to 1,662 in Scotland. 

Mike understands there is a need for renewable energy but believes that diversifying is important.

“I know we need to get rid of fossil fuels. But I just think that money would be better spent researching different ways of creating energy than covering the landscape with concrete and steel.

“I just think it’s going to take something rather than wind turbines.”

On this point, wind farm project manager, Jenny agrees. “Wind isn’t the answer,” she said. “It’s part of the answer.”

There are, however, other benefits to projects such as these including community funds that community organisations are able to apply for. 

The Pen March community fund is in the first stages and the amount of money on offer is yet to be determined as it will be based on the capacity of the turbines.  The company has invested £2.4 million across Wales so far.

There is also the possibility that Merthyr and Caerphilly local authorities could invest in the wind farm and use their returns on local services. 

Cllr Cuss, however, doesn’t want to get carried away by these promises. There is, he says, still a long way to go in the process with further consultations to be had, reports to be written and planning permission still to be applied for. 

“I always feel always feel uncomfortable when they mention community funds,” he said. “Those discussions really are for after the planning application.” 

In fact, Cllr Cuss still encourages people to voice their thoughts on the project and said: “Whatever questions you have or any concerns you have, make sure you get them known.”

RWE will take all views into consideration. “We will take on board all the comments from the local residents and also from the statutory consultees,” said Development Project Manager Jenny, with consultees including the local authorities and the Brecon Beacons National Park. 

“We can tweak the application a bit if they’re concerned.”

But for Jenny, in the long term, investing in renewables has to be a good thing.

“If we put wind farms across the country, wind will blow somewhere,” she said. “It’s got to be a good thing.”

The consultations will continue until December 15, and people are able to submit their comments online using this form. 

The Welsh Government decision is set to be made in 2024 and if approved, Pen March Wind Farm will be operational by 2026.