New Welsh wind farm granted consent

Energy Minister Charles Hendry has granted consent to Vattenfall for the Pen Y Cymoedd project, a 299MW wind farm between Neath and Aberdare in South Wales, according to a government press release.

Made up of 76 turbines, it would have the highest generating capacity of any onshore wind farm in England and Wales. The developer predicts that it will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of up to 206,000 homes a year.

The developer has also pledged to a community benefits package potentially worth more than £55m over the lifetime of the development, including £3m for habitat management and £6,000 a year per megawatt to a Community Trust Fund.