Renewable energy developers Coriolis Energy and ESB have launched a formal public consultation for the proposed Foel Fach Wind Farm, near Bala, North Wales.
If approved, this 72 MW,10 turbine project could generate enough clean electricity to power more than 68,700 average households every year.
Foel Fach Wind Farm will provide a Community Benefit Fund of £8,000 per MW of capacity per year for the lifetime of the project. Coriolis and ESB are working with Mantell Gwynedd and CVSC (Community and Voluntary Support Conwy) to ensure the fund is tailored to local needs.
The developers are also collaborating with Community Energy Wales to explore a community ownership model which would allow residents, businesses, and local groups to invest in the wind farm and receive a return on their investment.
Louise Housecroft, Project Manager for Foel Fach Wind Farm, said:
“We’ve been engaging with local people since starting the project and we’re looking forward to meeting residents again at the consultation events. Local people have been telling us that they are concerned about energy bills, local services and climate change, and we believe that the Foel Fach Wind Farm project has a part to play in tackling these issues. We’re proud of the industry-leading community benefit fund we’re making available to benefit local good causes, and excited to be working up a partnership with Community Energy Wales on a shared ownership model.”
Ben Ferguson from Community Energy Wales said:
“A share in the ownership of the project would empower communities and build local. The returns on the locally owned share will be in the control of local people, who can decide how to use the money – whether by donating to local charities, providing funding to set up new community businesses or using the money to develop more local sustainable energy enterprises.”
Coriolis said it was “committed to listening and incorporating feedback before submitting the final planning application to the Welsh Ministers”.
