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Planning for Wind Energy in Wales

A One Day Planning Conference for Wales
Supported by Government and Industry
Tuesday 17 May 2005
Pentre Jane Morgan Conference Rooms, Penglais Campus
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Plus a site visit to Cefn Croes Wind Farm

BWEA, in conjunction with the DTI, is running a series of dedicated regional one-day conferences for Councillors and local authority planning officers.

Government policy and commitment to renewable energy has grown significantly over the last few years. As a result, there are now greater demands for renewable energy development, and particularly wind energy development, being the leader in renewable technology and deployment. BWEA have therefore set up this series of events, supported by the DTI, to inform assessors and decision makers of the considerations to be made in plan making policy, case assessment and decision making for wind farm development. The conference introduces new Government policy on energy and on planning for renewable energy, both of which reflect the increased Government commitment to renewable energy.

Programme & Presentations

Click on presentation title to view PDF

Session I: Government Policy for Renewable Energy and Planning

A New Industry for Britain, A New industry for Wales: Government Policy and Commitment to Renewable Energy
Ron Loveland, Chief Technology Officer, Welsh Assembly Government (no presentation available)

Ron Loveland will introduce the UK-wide Energy White Paper, published in February 2003, the most positive statement on renewable energy by a UK Government. He will also introduce the Welsh Assembly Government energy strategy and its renewable energy target.

Planning for Wind: A Welsh Strategy
Kay Powell, Planning Division, Welsh Assembly

This presentation will outline the new Welsh strategy for planning for renewables in more detail.

Session II: Why Wind? Understanding the Facts, Myths and Development Considerations

Developer Perspectives I: Site Constraints
Keith Bellis, Tegni Cymru

‘Tegni Cymru’, a pioneering wind farm developer in Wales, have their own wind farm at Haffoty Ucha near Bala. Keith will describe the siting limitations placed on wind energy by a series of locational constraints. Covering issues ranging from aviation to grid connection, residential amenity to landscape designations, his presentation provides essential knowledge of the critical issues facing wind farm development during the EIA preparation and planning process.

Noise Constraints and Considerations
Malcolm Hayes, Hayes McKenzie Partnership

Malcolm will describe and explain the considerations for site design and location. He will also highlight the models and methods available for measuring noise, which form a key part of all Environmental Impact Assessments.

Landscape Constraints and Considerations
Kay Hawkins, E4Environment

Kay, an expert consultant on technical issues, will describe and explain the landscape considerations for site design and location. She will also highlight the models and methods available for measuring landscape effects, which form a key part of all Environmental Impact Assessments.

Cefn Croes Wind Farm: prelude to site visit
Steve Salt, Development Manager, West Coast Energy

Steve Salt from West Coast Energy will outline the process which led to the site selection, planning approval and construction of the Cefn Croes wind farm site.

Lunch at Cefn Croes Wind Farm - see (and hear!) for yourself
Hosted by Falck Renewables, project owners and operators

Cefn Croes wind farm is a 58.5 MW installation with 39 turbines, making it the largest onshore wind farm in the UK. 15 miles east of Aberystwyth, it is owned and operated by Falck Renewables. It produces enough electricity to meet the needs of over 30,000 homes!

Session III: A Range of Perspectives

RES-E Regions - Boosting green electricity production in Wales
David Clubb & Janet Sanders, Mid Wales Energy Agency

Overview of the European funded project that aims ot boost green electicity supply across 13 regions of Europe, focusing on awareness raising, grid access and administrative procedures and triggering RE installations.

Local Perspective: Local Planning and Decision Making
Andy Bull, Powys Council & Welsh Assembly Planning Division

Andy will investigate the material planning issues that should be assessed and balanced in making recommendations and decisions for wind farm applications.

Climate Change and the Need for Renewables
Andy Parnell, Greenpeace UK

Andy will remind us all why we are investing in renewable energy in Wales, the UK and throughout the world. He will look at the scientific reality of global warming and its predicted effects on the environment from a global down to a local perspective.