Unpublished revised plans for Radnor Forest turbines leaked to RE-think

PRESS RELEASE

Unpublished revised plans for Radnor Forest turbines leaked to RE-think

Date:  03/05/2024

Embargo: none

Controversial plans to build giant wind turbines on Radnor Forest have been updated and will be put out for formal consultation next week, according to a leaked document seen by RE-think.

Bute Energy had intended to build 36 turbines, each standing 220m tall, in and around Radnor Forest.  Now, according to an email sent to Community Councils in the area, that has changed to 31 turbines of varying height, mostly over 200m. 

The reduction in turbine number and size would reduce the capacity of the proposed so-called Nant Mithil development from approximately 235MW to 205MW. 

But despite stating that formal consultation on the new scheme is to start on May 8th, no details about the new proposals to be consulted on have yet been published. 

In the leaked email to Community Councils Bute claims to have reviewed feedback on the original plans and undertaken further studies before making changes to the proposed development.

Now, according to the email, Bute is proposing to build 31 turbines between 180m and 220m in height, with the majority (24) 205m.  These will have a total installed capacity of 205MW.

It is asking community councils for a meeting to discuss the new plans for which, it states, it will provide a community benefit fund of approximately £1.5m a year for 40 years. 

Commenting on the latest proposals, Jenny Chryss, Campaign Lead for RE-think said: “I think few people will be surprised that the proposal has been revised, this is the usual modus operandi for developments such as this, claiming to be making changes having listened to feedback.    If they’d really listened to local communities they would have dropped it altogether.  

“I urge people to look at the new plans for what they are.  They still want to put 31 enormous turbines, with all the associated infrastructure, power lines, concrete foundations etc, down through the hills of Radnorshire.    

“And don’t forget the cumulative effect, with detailed proposals for Gilwern Hill and Aberedw Hill yet to be revealed.  As things stand, if you add in the notorious non-operational Hendy Windfarm, they are still proposing that there should be what amounts to an industrial estate of more than 70 wind turbines covering some 20 square miles to the east of Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells, and only 3km from both towns.

“This proposed development in Radnor Forest really is the “head of the snake.”  Let’s cut it off.”

END