RWE Renewables Alwen Forest Wind Farm and Grid Connection DNS/3214855
Wind Farm
Formal Consultation Nov 26th – Jan 14th 2025.
For Developments of National Significance (DNS) responses go to this email PEDW.Infrastructure@gov.wales
Can you join Sustainable Wales and Community Energy Wales and add your support to the above planning application? Our aim is to encourage prompt introduction of renewable energy, recognising the urgency in society to decarbonise. The formal consultation closes on Jan 14th 2025.
The Alwen Forest Wind Farm and Grid Connection is classed as a ‘Development of National Significance’ in planning terms. It also supports the local economy because the community will have ownership of up to 15% of the project. Local people will have a chance to buy shares with surplus funds going to other community benefits via a package offered by RWE.
Map Click to enlarge
The planning application above has been submitted to the Welsh ministers for examination.
The application documents can be found on the DNS website hosted by Planning & Environment Decision Wales (PEDW).
Alwen Forest Wind Farm and Grid Connection | DNS/3214855
Representations must be submitted to PEDW via email -PEDW.Infrastructure@gov.wales; via the website https://planningcasework.service.gov.wales/searchresults ,
or by post to PEDW, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.
Sustainable Wales is supporting this project. From our point of view, if renewable energy applications respond to local issues of biodiversity, landscape and the (legally required) 10% of shared ownership for the local community and its economy, we believe it is important that they are welcomed and encouraged.
No planning application is ever perfect, but if on balance this project reduces climate emissions, responds to energy security, and helps the local economy, it should be supported.
The Proposal
Alwen Forest wind farm
This RWE Wind Farm project located in both Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council, is adjacent to Llyn Brenig and the Alwen Reservoir. Also, importantly, RWE is working with Community Energy Wales to develop a shared ownership scheme for the project.
The application is for an up to nine turbine windfarm with a maximum tip height of up to 200m, a grid connection and a battery energy storage system. Depending on the final turbine selected, the potential electricity generated would be the equivalent to the needs of up to 70,600 UK homes.
Extensive consultation has been undertaken with the community and interested parties, since the launch of the project.
See https://uk.rwe.com/project-proposals/alwen-forest/
Sustainable Wales supports Community Energy Wales because society needs to increase climate action, whilst aiming to secure for Wales a community ownership stake in the profits of a commercially developed, large-scale windfarm. https://communityenergy.wales/news/local-energy-systems-our-vision
Margaret Minhinnick,
Director Sustainable Wales.