Sustainable Wales Support Y Bryn Wind Farm Bordering Neath Port Talbot

Deadline to register support is - midnight this Friday 24th May. 

Project reference number: DNS/3264571 – Y Bryn Wind Farm

https://vogonline.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/2023/00974/OBS

Sustainable Wales is supporting this application. If renewable energy applications respond to local issues of biodiversity and landscape plus the (Welsh Government’s requirement) 10% of shared ownership for the local community and its economy, we believe it is important that they are welcomed and encouraged. Offering a step towards addressing the Climate Crisis. 

We are aware that Community Cooperative Awel Aman Tawe, Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service and Bridgend Association of Voluntary Services have an agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Windfarm developer - to deliver up to 20% of this project through a co-op, Awel y Bryn, and to manage the Community Benefit Fund which will total approximately £1m/year to support a range of local community projects.

Sustainable Wales want PEDW to take account of this shared ownership structure in their decision. It is important that local people gain financial advantage via their community groups projects and activities. 

In addition:

·      Y Bryn will generate around 317,883 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, equivalent to the annual needs of 85,700 average UK homes or approximately 68% of households in Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend council areas combined.

·       Y Bryn will offset over 137,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel generation each year. 

·      Y Bryn will deliver a Biodiversity Net Benefit through the agreed Habitat Management Plan. Pertinent vis-a-vis PPW February 2024.

·      Y Bryn will deliver significant improvements to access for a range of forest users through an Access Management and Enhancement Plan. 

·      Y Bryn will pay substantial business rates to the two local Councils. 

·      Y Bryn will bring local jobs and investment during construction and operation. 

·      Y Bryn will contribute approximately 7.3% of the remaining shortfall against the Welsh Government’s 2030 target to generate 70% of consumed electricity by renewable means. 

·      Y Bryn is located within a Strategic Search Area (SSA)for large scale wind energy developments identified in 2004 and is partially within a Pre-Assessed Area (PAA) identified more recently.

·      There would be significant benefits to the City Region.

·      To boot, a significant contribution to renewable energy.

More information:

https://news.wales/south/neath-port-talbot-council/plans-submitted-for-potential-uk-record-breaking-wind-farm-in-wales-2024-04-46340.html