News

Group confront turbine chiefs at packed meeting

TALYBONT residents packed the village hall this week to confront chiefs from a wind farm company who plan to erect 80 turbines at Nant y Moch, writes James Nicholas.

The meeting, organised by the Cambrian Mountain Society, was attended by over 200 people and was chaired by Ceredigion MP Mark Williams.

If permission is granted, construction of up to 80 wind turbines could begin as early as 2013, with developers Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) saying: “The turbines will make a significant contribution to renewable energy.”

The land was designated by the Welsh Assembly government, with hopes of generating enough electricity for 65,000 homes.

MP Mark Williams stressed that the issues being discussed shouldn’t be made political or about climate change, but should “balance local community feelings against national interest”.

Chairman of the Cambrian Mountains Society Ann West questioned the motives behind plans, saying: “80 turbines will produce on average 39 Mega Watts of energy, while winter demand across the UK is 63,000 Mega Watts. It’s only the huge subsidies that come with them that make them worthwhile.”

The final decision will be made by the Bristol based Infrastructure Planning Committee with only limited Welsh representation, a move slammed by John Morgan, speaking at the meeting: “We fought for 50 years for our devolutionary powers, including those on planning, then we hand the decision over to a body outside of Wales. Gwynfor Evans must be turning in his grave.”

A spokesman for SSE said: “The Welsh Assembly has only limited powers in the area of planning. Because the wind farm has a capacity greater than 50MW we have to submit to IPC which is based in Bristol.”

The company also said Welsh suppliers and sources would be used where possible and a significant proportion would be on private land, which would result in financial benefits to local landowners. However, Mr Morgan advised caution to those offered financial incentives, saying: “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”

• Pictured; Speakers, Mark Williams, MP, Lance Mytton and Dafydd Morris-Jones at the public meeting in Talybont
• See full story in this week's Cambrian News