The publicly owned renewable energy developer for Wales, Trydan
Gwyrdd Cymru, has today announced proposals for three new wind
farms with the potential to generate up to 400 MW of clean
electricity – enough to power 350,000 Welsh homes' annual average
electricity needs. That is around a quarter of the homes in
Wales.
In the first project announcement since Trydan's launch in 2024,
the schemes outlined today will help meet the growing need for
clean energy in Wales with electricity demand projected to nearly
triple by 2050.
It marks a significant step towards Trydan's ambition to develop
1 GW of new renewable energy generation capacity on Welsh public
land by 2040.
The first three proposed sites are:
- Clocaenog Dau Wind Farm, Denbighshire/Conwy (up to 132 MW)
- Glyn Cothi Wind Farm, Carmarthenshire (up to 162 MW)
- Carreg Wen Wind Farm, Rhondda Cynon Taf (up to 108 MW)
Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru operates solely in the interests of Wales,
with all profits generated reinvested in Welsh communities and
public services.
The wind farms will be developed on the Welsh Government's
woodland estate, which covers 126,000 hectares - 6% of Wales'
total land area - and contains some of the country's best
potential sites for renewable energy generation.
Cutting Wales' carbon emissions is a key commitment of the Welsh
Government, which aims for Wales to generate enough renewable
electricity to meet 70% of what's used in Wales by 2030, rising
to 100% by 2035.
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said:
“These proposals demonstrate our commitment to harnessing Wales'
abundant natural resources to generate clean energy while
ensuring the benefits are felt locally.
“By developing these projects on the Welsh Government Woodland
Estate, we're making best use of our public land to tackle the
climate emergency and create sustainable economic opportunities."
It is estimated the developments will create hundreds of jobs
during construction and operation, with Trydan committed to
involving Welsh companies throughout the process.
More renewable energy projects are in development and will be
announced later this year.
Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru's Chief Executive, Richard Evans, said:
“With Trydan driving development, and with the profits from this
investment retained in Wales, we have a unique opportunity to
optimise the projects and the multiple benefits they bring.
“In parts of Wales suitable for infrastructure installations, and
across Wales, working with delivery partners, we will create and
support quality, direct and indirect jobs in the renewable energy
sector and supply chains, and contribute to skills initiatives.
Communities will be involved and funding will support local
priorities.”
“As a Wales-wide developer, we can commit to nation-wide,
strategic programmes, such as habitat management and restoration,
and we look forward to working with stakeholders to define
ambitious, long-term enhancements.”
Notes to editors
Elsie Grace Head of Sustainable Commercial Development at Natural
Resources Wales, added:
”We are excited to be working with Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru to help
deliver Welsh Government Energy targets. Natural Resources Wales
manage the Welsh Government's Woodland Estate, much of which is
located on upland hills and plateau, which potentially make
excellent sites for wind farm development.
“Our commercial team is working with Trydan to ensure that the
sustainable management of natural resources is at the heart of
the programme and that wind farm infrastructure will be
integrated carefully into the working forest. Tree clearance will
be kept to a minimum, environmentally sensitive features will be
protected, and any areas cleared of trees will be replaced
through our Compensatory Planting Programme . Vital timber
production and environmental protection can continue, while
additional revenues are generated by the wind farm projects.
“The projects are expected to deliver habitat restoration for
improved biodiversity and improved public access in
line with our access and recreation strategy.”
Most of Trydan's projects have grid
connection dates in the mid 2030's. Trydan will be working to
secure earlier connection dates through the current reforms to
the grid
