The Onshore Mynydd Lluest y Graig Wind Farm in Wales

About the project

Vattenfall is continuing to explore the potential to develop a proposal for a new wind farm in Powys, mid Wales (approximately 20km west of Welshpool and 5km south west of Llanerfyl), known as Mynydd Lluest y Graig. The project is currently at an early stage, and the first stage has been to scope and explore the important issues for this site. 

This new wind farm combines Vattenfall’s previous Mynydd Waun Fawr wind farm proposal (submitted to Powys County Council in 2007) with a more recent neighbouring early stage wind farm proposal known as Rhyd Ddu.  

Vattenfall took the decision in 2013 to withdraw the Mynydd Waun Fawr application and combine it with the Rhyd Ddu site to create a single combined scheme that can be designed to maximise local benefit and minimise cumulative impacts.

The site is located south west of Llanerfyl in an area of mid Wales that has been identified by Welsh Government guidance for the development of large scale wind farm development. The area is known as Strategic Search Area B in this context.

The exact scale and generating capacity of the wind farm is yet to be determined, but at present we consider the site has the potential for between 25 and 35 turbines.

Through our work on the two previously progressed wind farm proposals, we have already undertaken extensive studies, investigations and consultations in relation to this site. This included a number of community workshops and events. 

Our work moving forward will build on this experience and knowledge, but we will also be undertaking detailed environmental investigations and consultations which will form part of our application. More information is available on this website and will continue to be updated as the project progresses.

Planning process

As the proposed development is for electricity generation of more than 50MW, it is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) under the Planning Act 2008 and we will therefore apply for a Development Consent Order (DCO). 

Applications for a DCO are submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), which processes and examines the applications before making a recommendation to the relevant Secretary of State (in this case the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change) who makes the final decision on the proposed development.

We have now formally registered the Mynydd Lluest y Graig scheme with PINS, and all pre-application discussions with the organisation will be recorded on its website. Click here to visit the PINS website.

In order to help shape the final plans, we started discussions and early engagement with stakeholders and local communities in 2014. We will continue this dialogue in the run up to our formal consultation period late this year/early 2016. Click here for more details.

Timeline

Below is an indicative timeline for the project:

• Spring 2014 – Winter 2014: Environmental investigations (Scoping and Baseline work)
• Spring/Summer 2015 – Non-statutory community/stakeholder engagement
• Autumn/Winter 2015 – Launch of statutory consultation
• 2016 – Submission of Development Consent Order (DCO) application
• 2017 – Planning decision expected

Construction of the wind farm is dependent upon a grid connection being provided by the Distribution Network Operator, in this case Scottish Power Energy Networks. Once the grid connection timetable is more certain, the construction and commissioning dates of the wind farm will be posted on this website.

Documents/Archive

Here is a virtual library for key consultation and project documentation and will be updated as information is available.

Hard copies of the consultation material will also be available at a range of publically accessible locations in the vicinity of the site during the formal consultation period.

Newsletters

Mynydd Lluest y Graig - Project Update: Issue 2
Mynydd Lluest y Graig - Project Update: Issue 1

Engagement/Consultation

Early Engagement Exhibition Boards
Early Engagement Feedback Questionnaire
Early Engagement Feedback Report (September 2014)

Project Information

Scoping Report

Fact Sheets

Biomass Energy
Coal Energy
Cost of Energy
Gas Energy
Energy Policy
Energy Sources
Hydro Energy
Nuclear Energy
Solar Energy
Wind Energy

Information Sheets

Introduction
Archaeology and Heritage
Construction and Noise
Ecology
Ground Conditions
Landscape and Visual
Transport and Infrastructure
Community Benefit

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