EDF Renewables is starting a pre-application consultation on its plans to develop a wind farm at Garn Fach, south of Newtown, Powys, in partnership with local farming families. The scheme was first announced in January 2020.
Garn Fach Wind Farm is an 85MW, 17 turbine proposal, which would be capable of generating enough renewable electricity for 69,000 homes and would make a major contribution towards meeting climate change targets.
EDF Renewables will offer an annual community benefit fund for Garn Fach of £5,000 per MW which could mean around £425,000 per year (index linked) is available for local causes or £12.75m over the 30-year lifetime of the project. The company is also offering local ownership and local people and organisations will have the opportunity to invest and have up to a 10% stake in the project.
As part of its consultation, EDF Renewables is hosting an online exhibition, writing to every household within a 10km radius of site, and meeting local community councils. A community liaison group has been meeting to exchange information and discuss what further benefits the wind farm could deliver.
In preparation for this formal and statutory pre-application consultation stage, a draft environmental statement has been prepared and is available on the Garn Fach website and at Llanidloes and Newtown libraries. A non-technical summary is also available.
The extended consultation runs from 30 June to 8 September.
For more information please visit EDF Renewables’ website.