Wind farm cash to benefit Pant
Construction of 12 new turbines at the Tirgwynt Wind Farm, between Carno and Cefn Coch, is now largely complete, with all turbines erected and three now producing electricity.
Tirgwynt Wind Farm owner Awel Newydd is setting up a Trust Fund for communities along the turbine delivery route, from the wind farm site through to Pant, as well as those in the vicinity of the wind farm.
Local residents in affected communities will benefit from the fund to the tune of £49,200 a year, with delivery route communities being allocated 25%, eg £12,300 per year (index-linked). It will be at the discretion of the trust how the money is shared between the seven communities (Castle Caereinion, Carreghofa, Llanymynech & Pant, Llandrinio & Arddleen, Llandysilio, Llanfair Caereinion and Welshpool) for the first five years. After that it will be opened up to also include grant applications from the wider community of Montgomeryshire.
Awel Newydd have also launched a “Name the Turbine” competition for primary school pupils in the area, with schools able to win £100 of books plus a visit to the wind farm in the summer.
Andy Black, Director of Awel Newydd Cyf, said: “Our local contractors have been doing an excellent job, and it’s inspiring to see the turbines spinning and contributing to Wales’ renewable energy targets, cutting carbon emissions and helping keep the lights on. All construction works have been carried out with careful consideration for the habitats, vegetation and wildlife in the area.
“We know that the majority of people in Wales support onshore wind, the UK’s cheapest renewable technology, and we’ve been working closely with the local farmers who own the land at Tirgwynt to help sustain local farming communities. We want to make sure all people who may have been affected by construction have the opportunity to share the benefits from the wind farm, so we are making the Community Trust Fund available to everyone living near the abnormal load delivery route as well as near the turbines, and eventually all of Montgomeryshire. We’ve already had expressions of interest from many local groups – ranging from local sports associations, to support groups for people with special needs and Food Banks.”
Pupils at local primary schools have been invited to enter the turbine-naming competition and the 12 schools choosing the winning names will each receive £100 to spend on books and a visit for each winning pupil’s class to see the wind farm in the summer. The competition is open until the end of the autumn term, with the winning names due to be chosen early next year.