Seven new energy projects proposed for Wales

Infrastructure Planning CommissionSir Michael Pitt, Chair of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) today outlined how the IPC will work with the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and other consenting bodies to decide nationally significant infrastructure project applications in Wales.

He was speaking at an IPC stakeholder event in Cardiff, at which Jane Davidson, Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) provided the keynote address.

Highlighting eleven new energy projects - seven in Wales and four affecting Wales – that are expected to be submitted as applications to the IPC in the coming months, Sir Michael said: “The new process provides better opportunities for local communities to have their say on national infrastructure and the IPC will ensure that all parties are heard.”

“The IPC must establish the local impact of a project and weigh this against the national interest. These are significant proposals and it is crucial that communities take up the opportunities to have their say.”

At least five new on-shore wind farm applications for locations across Wales are expected to be received by the IPC during 2010, including at:
  • Llanllwni in Carmarthenshire;
  • Nant-y-Moch in Ceredigion;
  • Clocaenog in Denbighshire;
  • Dyfnant Forest in Powys;
  • Brechfa in Camarthenshire.
The IPC also expects to receive a proposal for a resource recovery plant at Brig y Cwm, Merthyr Tydfil in 2010, and in 2011, an application for a new nuclear power station at Wylfa in Angelsey.

Communities in Wales may also be interested in the following projects, which will not be located on Welsh soil but would be visible from the Welsh coastline should they proceed:
  • Bristol Channel – The Atlantic Array offshore windfarm (visible from Vale of Glamorgan)
  • Hinkley Point, Somerset – New nuclear power station (visible from Cardiff)
  • Oldbury, Gloucestershire – New nuclear power station (visible from Newport)
  • Irish Sea offshore windfarm (15km off Anglesey).
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