Why do we need onshore wind?

We need more electricity!

Electricity consumption in Wales is projected to nearly triple by 2050¹ due to the electrification of heat and transport, and our increasing reliance on datacentres to cater for our digital lifestyles.

Lower cost

Onshore wind energy is one of the fastest and cheapest methods of generating electricity.

Much of the electricity we rely on in the UK is generated using imported gas, the price of which is set globally, out of our control. Recent research by University College London has shown that in recent years, wind power has led to lower electricity prices for consumers².

Energy security

Increasing our domestic sources of electricity generation reduces our reliance on imported energy. Imported energy is subject to major price and supply fluctuations due to the global cost of oil, and geopolitical events.

Energy mix

We need a “mix” of energy sources across the UK to provide us with a reliable supply of electricity. That means a mix of onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, nuclear, hydrogen, some gas generated electricity, wave and tidal.

Low carbon

Modern turbines are far more efficient and capture a greater wind resource.

Over its operational lifetime, Foel Fach Wind Farm is expected to save over 2,632,967 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, when compared against electricity generated using fossil fuels.

Climate change

Summer 2025 was the warmest summer on record in the UK³. Record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, with devastating effects for farming, nature and people. The Met Office states one of the main causes of the changing weather is human-induced climate change caused by greenhouse gases, such as CO₂, which get released into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuel.

Welsh Government targets

The Welsh Government aims to meet 100% of Welsh electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2035. Foel Fach Wind Farm would directly contribute to these targets.⁴

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[1] Welsh Government 2025. Energy Generation in Wales 2023.

[2] UCL Press. Modelling the long-term financial benefits of UK investment in wind energy generation. https://journals.uclpress.co.uk/ucloe/plugins/isolinear/article/3584/version/1

[3] Met Office https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/summer-2025-is-the-warmest-on-record-for-the-uk

[4] Welsh Government. 2025. Energy Generation in Wales 2023.