Final Consultation Underway for Garn Fach Wind Farm in Powys

EDF Renewables is starting a pre-application consultation on its plans to develop a wind farm at Garn Fach, south of Newtown, Powys, in partnership with local farming families.

The scheme was first announced in January 2020 and since then EDF Renewables has conducted two public consultation exercises as well as site assessments and surveys. This will be the final opportunity for people to have a say on the plan in advance of submission to the Planning Inspectorate and a final decision by Welsh Ministers.

Garn Fach Wind Farm is an 85 MW, 17 turbine proposal, which would be capable of generating enough renewable electricity for 69,000 homes* and would make a major contribution towards meeting climate change targets. EDF Renewables will offer an annual community benefit fund for Garn Fach of £5,000 per MW which could mean around £425,000 per year (index linked) is available for local causes or £12.75 million over the 30-year lifetime of the project.  The company is also offering local ownership and local people and organisations will have the opportunity to invest and have up to a 10% stake in the project.

Other benefits include enhancing the biodiversity across the site and creating better habitats for flora and fauna. After construction, the on-site wind farm tracks will be used as a cycle route, and new permissive bridleways and footpaths will be created, including a footpath to the scheduled monument, Fowler’s Arm Chair. To encourage visitors and enhance their experience, information boards will be erected, and a small car park is proposed at the southern end of the site.

As part of its consultation, EDF Renewables is hosting an online exhibition, writing to every household within a 10km radius of site, and meeting local community councils. A community liaison group has been meeting to exchange information and discuss what further benefits the wind farm could deliver. 

EDF Renewables’ Principal Project Development Manager for Wales, Simon Morgan said: “Garn Fach will make a positive contribution to Wales’s green recovery, helping to meet the Welsh Government’s targets to generate 70% of its electricity consumption from renewables by 2030 and be carbon net zero by 2050.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with fourteen local farming families and that the Garn Fach project is offering significant benefits to the community. Our goal is that the wind farm will be seen as part of the community and a symbol of our collective fight to tackle climate change, helping to accelerate to a net zero future where clean energy powers our lives.”

In preparation for this formal and statutory pre-application consultation stage, a draft Environmental Statement has been prepared and is available on the Garn Fach website and at Llanidloes** and Newtown Libraries. A Non-Technical Summary is also available.

The extended consultation runs from 30th June to 8th September.

Notes to Editors

About the project: The proposed Garn Fach Wind Farm is on land farmed by 14 local families, all of whom are involved in the project. Following valuable feedback from the community, and expert advice, the scheme has been reduced from 22 turbines to 17. Each turbine will be up to 149.9 metres in height.  The statutory documents and the consultation materials can be viewed on the website (www.edf-re.uk/our-sites/garn-fach). 

Onshore wind remains one of the cheapest ways of generating renewable or low carbon energy. Two public consultation events have already taken place on the Garn Fach Wind Farm proposal, first in January 2020 and again in October and November 2020. Feedback received during both these consultations has informed the design and development of the project.  The proposed Garn Fach Wind Farm is a Development of National Significance and will therefore be assessed by the independent planning inspectorate with a final decision being taken by the Welsh Minister.

About EDF Renewables:  EDF Renewables UK (www.edf-re.uk) is part of one of the world’s largest electricity companies and our investment and innovation is reducing costs for consumers and bringing significant benefits for communities. With our operating portfolio of 37 renewable energy sites including onshore and offshore wind (together totalling 1 GW) we are providing much needed affordable, low carbon electricity. We have an expanding portfolio with almost 4 GW of projects in planning and development, including solar PV. In Wales, EDF Renewables has plans for a number of renewable energy projects and is about to construct a solar farm on Anglesey. Currently, EDF Renewables owns and operates two wind farms - Cemmaes near Machynlleth and Llangwyryfon near Aberystwyth.

*35% capacity factor – conservative figure based on measurements from the on-site mast. Average household consumption of 3,772 kWh from Energy consumption in the UK (www.gov.uk)

**Llanidloes Library is operating an appointments system and members of the public wishing to see the draft Environmental Statement or Non-Technical Summary are advised to phone ahead.

For more information

Lindsey Southworth lindsey.southworth@edf-re.uk      
Senior External Communications Manager                        
(M) 07813 230379