October 23, 2024, Wales — Welsh ministers have granted planning permission for EDF Renewables UK's Garn Fach wind farm, an 85MW onshore development near Newtown. The project will consist of 17 turbines, each with a maximum tip height of 149.9 meters, and will include an undisclosed onsite energy storage system.
The wind farm project was initially announced in 2020, with planning processes commencing in 2021. Approval was previously delayed due to concerns regarding impacts on nearby peatland, but these objections were resolved following EDF's updated environmental commitments.
Jon O'Sullivan, director for Onshore Wind at EDF Renewables UK, expressed optimism about the project's potential positive impact on the local community and the broader Welsh renewable sector.
Jess Hooper, director of RenewableUK Cymru, noted the approval as a significant milestone for the Welsh renewables industry, emphasizing the government's commitment to a sector deal aimed at accelerating planning decisions and boosting investment in renewable energy.
The Welsh government aims to meet all electricity needs from renewable sources by 2035, prompting a surge in renewable energy developments. Additionally, the Welsh energy secretary, Jeremy Miles, launched Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, a state-owned renewable energy developer, to expedite onshore wind projects on public land.
In a related initiative, Innovate UK has awarded £887,000 in funding to develop green hydrogen from floating offshore wind off Pembrokeshire, marking a significant advancement in marine hydrogen production.