Developers have launched a formal public consultation for a major new wind farm proposed for land near Bala in Gwynedd.
The Foel Fach Wind Farm is a joint venture between renewable energy firm Coriolis Energy and Ireland's leading energy company, ESB. If approved and built to its full capacity, the scheme would have a generating capacity of 72 megawatts (MW).
Powering Homes and Supporting the Community
At its maximum output, the developers state the wind farm could produce enough clean electricity each year to meet the needs of nearly 68,000 average UK homes. The project is designed to make a direct financial contribution to the local area.
A community benefit fund worth £8,000 per megawatt of capacity per year will be established for the project's lifetime. This could equate to significant annual funding for local causes.
Coriolis and ESB are working with organisations Mantell Gwynedd and CVSC (Community and Voluntary Support Conwy) to tailor the fund to local priorities. Furthermore, they are collaborating with Community Energy Wales to explore an innovative community ownership model.
Shared Ownership and Local Empowerment
This ownership model would allow residents, local businesses, and community groups the opportunity to invest directly in the wind farm and receive a financial return on their investment.
"We're proud of the industry-leading community benefit fund we're making available to benefit local good causes, and excited to be working up a partnership with Community Energy Wales on a shared ownership model," said Louise Housecroft, project manager for Foel Fach Wind Farm.
Ben Ferguson from Community Energy Wales added: "A share in the ownership of the project would empower communities and build local. The returns on the locally owned share will be in the control of local people."
Project Details and Timeline
The proposal includes ten turbines. Six would have a maximum tip height of 220 metres, with the remaining four reaching up to 200 metres.
The public consultation period is now open and will run until February 9th. Subject to securing planning consent, the aim is for the wind farm to become operational in 2037. It is projected to have an operational lifespan of up to 40 years.
This development aligns with the Welsh Government's target for 1.5 gigawatts of renewable energy generation to have an element of local or shared ownership by 2035.
