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Cefn Croes wind farm opening welcomed but more needed

On the day the largest windfarm in the UK is opened near Aberystwyth, Friends of the Earth Cymru is calling for people and politicians in Wales to support more wind power, including a larger scheme in mid Wales [1]. The opening of the 58.5 MW Cefn Croes scheme, near Devils Bridge , Aberystwyth brings the total capacity of UK onshore windfarms to over the 1,000 MW milestone.

Cefn Croes will make a significant contribution to combating climate change in Wales as it is estimated that it will save 2.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over its expected lifetime.  It is expected to provide enough electricity for around 40,000 homes, around half the electricity used in Ceredigion.

Neil Crumpton, Friends of the Earth Cymru campaigner commented,

"It is brilliant to see the Cefn Croes windfarm up and running. It is an excellent site for harnessing this clean source of energy."

"Climate Change is the biggest challenge we face today and renewable energy is very much part of the answer.  The public is very supportive of wind energy as people appreciate the benefits it can bring to the environment and the Welsh economy."

"Electricity generation is the single largest source of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK , contributing over 30% of all emissions [2]. It is essential that we switch from fossil fuels to less polluting sources of electricity generation as soon as possible."

Now Friends of the Earth Cymru, who were leading supporters of the Cefn Croes windfarm, are supporting proposals for a 100+ turbine scheme in the Camddwr area of mid Wales near Tregaron.  The scheme is currently stalled because the RAF uses the area for training.  The group is calling on the Assembly Government to lobby the Ministry of Defence to drop its objections [3].  The Assembly Government is currently considering plans to promote the development of renewable energy in Wales [4]. 

Following today's NOP opinion poll, which showed continuing strong support for windfarms in Wales [5], including mid Wales , Friends of the Earth Cymru is calling on the Assembly to support the large Camddwr windfarm [6].

Neil Crumpton continued:

"Today's opinion poll findings show that Cefn Croes and the other windfarms in Wales have strong majority support. The 38 turbines at Cefn Croes were approved after a long and well conducted public debate. Now we call on the public and Assembly to support a much larger 120 turbine scheme in the Camddwr area of mid Wales."

Notes

1) The 58.5 MW Cefn Croes windfarm near Aberystwyth will be officially opened on Thursday 16th June. The scheme comprises 38 turbines, each of 1.5 MW capacity. 58.5 MW is enough to provide electricity for around 40,000 homes It is estimated that the Cefn Croes windfarm will save 2.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over its expected lifetime. The previous most powerful windfarm was the 50.6 MW Rothes windfarm in Scotland opened on 10th May 2005 .

[2] Impact of energy on the environment and society - 2004 update July 2004, DTI

[3] The area is a tactical training area (TTA) used by the RAF's large Hercules transport aircraft. Yet the campaigners say the training area is little used and a large windfarm there would reduce the need to build windfarms in other parts Wales .

[4] Several large areas, which would be designated as Strategic Search Areas, have already been identified and are now being proposed by the Assembly Government in its draft renewable energy planning policy known as Technical Advice Note 8 (TAN8).  This is currently a draft policy awaiting Assembly debate later this month and Assembly Government approval probably before the summer recess. The Camddwr area is currently not included as it is a TTA, despite its potential for a large windfarm which could account for over 40% of the Assembly Government's 2010 target. A group called the Camddwr Trust has been proposing to build a 300 MW plus scheme on the site between Llanwrtyd Wells and Tregaron for several years.

[5] NOP World poll May 2005 (sample 500 people) commissioned by the British Wind Energy Association - showing 75% of Welsh public agree that windfarms are necessary (see attachment below). A 2002 Friends of the Earth Cymru commissioned Market Research Wales poll found 71% support in Wales for more onshore windfarms in Wales .

[6] A scheme might comprise over one hundred turbines each between 2.5 and 3.0 MW capacity (similar to the proposed turbines at the Whinash windfarm in Cumbria ) and generate about 1 TWhr/year or about 5-6% of Welsh electricity demand. The likely height to blade tip would be about 115 metres, which is about 20 metres higher than the 1.5 MW Cefn Croes turbines, for turbines which would be up to twice as powerful.