Proposed Foel Fach Wind Farm could generate clean electricity and deliver local benefits

Renewable energy developers Coriolis Energy and ESB are inviting local people to give feedback on their plans for Foel Fach Wind Farm, which could deliver enough clean, green electricity to meet the needs of over 55,000 average households annually* – more than all of the households within Gwynedd.

Residents near to the proposed Foel Fach site, approximately 3.5 km north of Bala, are being given the opportunity to learn more about the proposal at public exhibition events being held locally.

The proposal includes up to 11 turbines, which could deliver up to 79.2 MW, and comes at a time of heightened awareness about climate change with ever more extreme weather as a result of man-made global warming.

The new UK Government has promised to double onshore wind in the UK alongside a huge increase in the deployment of other renewables technologies, such as solar and offshore wind. Demand for electricity is predicted to nearly triple as we decarbonise the economy and move away from using harmful fossil fuels.

Clare Dance, Foel Fach Wind Farm Project Manager, said, “Our plans are at an early stage, so this is a great time for the community to tell us what they think. We are keen to hear from residents and are committed to taking on board feedback wherever possible.

We are offering an industry-leading Community Benefit Fund of £8,000 per MW and we’re looking forward to hearing ideas for how this could best be used to benefit the local area. We’re also proud to be working with Ripple Energy on plans for an exciting first-of-a-kind shared ownership offer which we hope to be able to provide more information about over the coming months.

“Foel Fach Wind Farm could make a substantial contribution towards Welsh Government’s targets to meet the equivalent of 100% of Welsh annual electricity consumption from renewables by 2035, as well as targets for 1.5GW of community shared ownership.”

Coriolis Energy and ESB are running an informal public consultation on the proposed Foel Fach Wind Farm from 16 September to 14 October 2024.

The public exhibition events are being held on the following dates:

• 3 – 7pm, Friday 27 September 2024, Neuadd Mynach, Cwmtirmynach, Bala LL23 7EB
• 10am – 2pm, Saturday 28 September 2024, Canolfan Bro Tegid, 32 High St, Bala LL23 7AG

A pre-application consultation on Foel Fach Wind Farm is expected to take place mid-2025.

More information is available on the project website www.foelfach.cymru