PROJECT OUTLINE

The Mynydd Bwllfa windfarm is located 2.5kms to the south of the village of Hirwaun in Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough, situated on a sloping, upland, mountain plateau some 2.5kms west of Aberdare. The application for a 12 turbine development was made in April but later amended to 9 turbines in December 2009 following consultation with the LPA and statutory bodies.

PROJECT DELIVERY

In February 2010 the amended scheme was presented to RCT planning committee with a Planning Officer”s recommendation for approval. Financing and procurement were completed in just over 12 months and construction started in November 2013, completing by summer 2015

Access and Cabling

Following an Environmental Impact Assessment, infrastructure work commenced, access to the site was from a modified and improved existing access track, that runs across the “Conveyor” former opencast site and which links directly with the A465(T). The wind farm connects into the electricity transmission system via underground cables and a very short overground section of cable between the substation and the existing 132kV power lines which cross the site.

Site management

The finished windfarm comprises 9 Nordex N90 2.5MW turbines, which are 70m, 75m and 80m to the hub and 115m or 125m to the tip. The site is capable of producing up to 22.5MWe, which is the equivalent of the energy required to supply 15,000 homes. Nordex will provide an operation and maintenance service and Pennant Walters will provide site management and reporting services.

Renewables in South Wales

The Mynydd Bwllfa windfarm is one of a number of renewable infrastructure developments in South Wales for Walters. Read about recent environmental work done there…http://walters-group.co.uk/encouraging-marsh-fritillary-butterfly-mynydd-bwllfa-wind-farm/