In 2008, RWE npower renewables was awarded the rights to seek planning permission to develop a wind farm in the Clocaenog Forest in North Wales, a woodland area which is managed by Forestry Commission Wales on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government. The project is still at a very early stage.
The proposed project would be located within the counties of Conwy and Denbighshire, approximately 13km south of Denbigh, and due east of Llyn Brenig.
Preliminary studies have suggested that, subject to further environmental and technical surveys and planning, the development area could accommodate a wind farm of up to around 85 megawatts (MW) based on wind turbines with an individual installed capacity of 2.5 - 3 MW.
A typical 85MW wind farm can generate power equivalent to the needs of approximately 38,000 homes every year.
Wind farms above 50 MW are required, under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, to apply for consent from the government Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
In consultation with stakeholders, RWE npower renewables is currently confirming the details of its Environmental Impact Assessment. This study is intended to explore the full impact of the proposed wind farm on the site and the local area.
Local authorities are involved in helping to determine the scope of these investigations. Further information about RWE npower renewables' proposal for the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm can be found online at:
www.npower-renewables.com/clocaenogforest.
