UK - Wales harnesses wind and water power

A new 1.2 million pounds plant recently opened in North Wales will control hydro-electric and wind power plants across the whole of the UK.

The npower renewables UK operation centre at Dolgarrog will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week controlling plants from the Northern tip of Scotland to the Southern tip of Cornwall.

The centre will control over 450MW of wind and hydro- electric plants and over the next five years this figure will increase to almost 2000MW as the UK moves towards reaching its renewable energy targets.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said at the opening today: "The 20% target for renewable energy given to the UK by European Union is a challenging target, but it is achievable.

"Wales’ unique geography means that we are ideally placed to play a major part in reaching this benchmark. For government and business alike, being able to talk the talk is easy; the test is walking the walk.

"The decision we took last October to allow Forestry Commission managed land in Wales to be used for windfarm production is exactly the sort of choice that needs to be made. Wind energy is a technology that can have a real impact on our renewable energy targets which is exactly why we want to encourage its use."

Minister for Environment and Sustainability, Jane Davidson’s announcement earlier this week of a feasibility study into the huge tidal power potential in the Severn Estuary could also provide the UK and Wales with a long- term source of carbon- free energy.