Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm.

A pioneering project of scale and complexity.

The Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm is a pioneering project in many ways. Located in Wales’ Afon Pib valley, its expected average annual generation is equivalent to the approximate domestic needs of up to 39,700 typical UK households. It was worth up to £19 million to South and West Wales economies during construction, and approximately £560,000 a year to local communities during each year of operation.

A unique planning process.

We were involved from the earliest phases of the project, through to examination and consent. As the first Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) project, there was a lengthy examination process, requiring thorough consultation, further documentation, and additional processes compared to a typical planning application. The site was also located close to other existing operational wind farms, and this required careful consideration due to the complex cumulative noise issues that can arise in these cases.

Experience is everything.

We were able to draw on our considerable experience of the challenges and complexities involved with cumulative noise situations in order to help shape the design of the wind farm, deliver a robust Environmental Noise Impact Assessment, and address the requirements of the new NSIP process on a very tight turnaround. As the first NSIP to achieve consent, this was all achieved at a time when there were no precedents to draw from.

Bethan Thomas, Renewables Developer, RWE Innogy

Winner of Renewable Energy Project of the Year at the BusinessGreen Leaders Award 2018.