Joel James MS spent his morning on top of the Rhondda, visiting the Pen Y Cymoedd wind farm on the Rhigos Mountain. On the visit, Joel saw first-hand how wind energy is harnessed and the benefits it brings.
Pen Y Cymoedd is the highest-altitude wind farm in the UK, located on Natural Resource Wales (NRW) land. Due to this, Vattenfall is ensuring the installation of their wind turbines does not destroy or displace any of the local habitats. After commission, Vattenfall took its ecological commitment further by establishing a £3 million habitat management plan. The Lost Peatlands Project has now matched this.
Before being taken on a guided tour of the vast site, Project Manager – Daniel Wills met Joel and ensured he was kitted out in the correct safety gear.
Pen Y Cymoedd, the biggest onshore wind farm in England and Wales, has 76 turbines. Despite its size, only a few are visible from the nearby settlements. Joel learned during his visit that, at peak out, the site can generate enough electricity to power 15% of Welsh homes annually. Since the project's commission, renewable energy technology has advanced significantly. Daniel informed Joel that the industry is looking at 7MW, 200m turbines, in comparison to Pen Y Cymoedd’s 3MW, 145m turbines.
The pair also spent time discussing the implications and feasibility of wind farms. One of the issues Joel raised regarded the location of wind farms and what work needs to be done to change public opinion on wind turbines.
Speaking after the visit, Joel said:
“I am really grateful to Daniel for taking me around the wind farm today and discussing the importance of wind energy to meet our climate ambitions.
I had a really informative and enjoyable visit this morning and it was brilliant to find out more about how the installation of this site is benefitting the local community and Wales as a whole. Their £1.8 million in community funding is a brilliant opportunity for local people to invest in themselves and their passions.
I was also pleased to hear of the safety measures and strict criteria that are in place regarding where and when these wind turbines are located. To know that Pen Y Cymoedd is committed to restoring peatlands is very encouraging.”
