Record-Breaking Welsh Wind Farm Approved
While this 299-MW wind farm just approved for South Wales doesn’t compare with the insane 20,000-MW Gansu Wind Farm slowly being built in China, or even the 3,000-MW Alta Wind Energy Center that leads the US (currently at 1,020 MW of capacity), the Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project is huge by most standards and will be the largest wind farm in England and Wales when completed by Vattenfall.
The wind farm was just approved by energy minister Charles Hendry. The wind farm, located between Neath and Aberdare, will include 76 wind turbines and is expected to generate enough electricity for up to 206,000 homes a year.
The wind farm is expected to increase renewable electricity generation in Wales by a considerable 37%.
“Onshore wind plays an important role in enhancing our energy security,” said Hendry. “It is the cheapest form of renewable energy and reduces our reliance on foreign fuel. This project in South Wales will generate vast amounts of home-grown renewable electricity and provide a significant benefits package for the local community.”
The wind farm, likely to be completed and turned on in 2016, is projected to be in operation for 25 years and is expected to pump £1 billion into the Welsh economy in its three years of construction.
Vattenfall still needs to review the energy secretary’s letter of consent, but a positive decision and final construction plans are expected soon.
Neither of the communities directly affected by the wind farm were opposed to it.
Source: Business Green & WalesOnline
Image: Vattenfall via Daniel*1977
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