Benefits
New onshore wind, and large scale solar, are the cheapest forms of renewable electricity generation1 and it is imperative that we deliver clean, low cost electricity as efficiently as possible for consumers. Mynydd Maen would be capable of providing clean, low cost renewable electricity for around 55,000 homes2 making an important contribution to the decarbonisation of Wales’ energy system by 2035.
The project could also create a significant economic boost to the local economy. RES has a proven track record of using local contractors to maximise inward investment, as demonstrated during the construction of Garreg Lwyd Wind Farm in Powys where £15 million was invested within mid and North Wales, £3 million of which was realised in the immediate Powys area.
The Mynydd Maen project is predicted to deliver around £3.6 million of inward investment to the local area in the form of jobs, employment, and use of local services.
In addition, the project would deliver around £23.5 million in business rates over its lifetime. Business rates collected by each Welsh local authority are paid to the Senedd who give the income back to local authorities to support local services.
1 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/911817/electricity-generation-cost-report-2020.pdf
2 The homes figure has been calculated by taking the predicted annual electricity generation of the site (based on RES assessments Mynydd Maen has a predicted capacity factor of 41.7%) and dividing this by the annual average electricity figures from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showing that the annual UK average domestic household consumption is 3,509kWh (Dec 2022).