Benefits

Dealing with energy issues

The need for more renewable energy sources is greater than ever. Climate change, increasing power prices and fears over security of supply have put the issue of energy high in everyone’s mind. National and regional authorities acknowledge that renewable energy is an important solution to meet the challenges of our modern lifestyle and its high energy demands.

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has established targets for the renewable energy it wants the country to be producing by 2010. This includes 800MW from onshore wind energy projects, mostly in the form of a small number of large wind farms (WAG, 2005). However, Wales is currently 82% behind its targets for renewable energy generation (Source: BWEA Cymru – State of the Industry report, 2009). The proposed Wear Point Wind Farm would contribute up to 10MW towards this goal.

The UK is the windiest country in Europe and has the highest potential of most European states to reduce dependencies on oil and gas by utilising wind energy as a natural resource. Wear Point wind farm would provide energy equivalent of up to 11% of the homes in the Pembrokeshire Local Authority area with clean, economic and renewable electricity, which would contribute well to national targets.

Communities

Infinergy believes that the local community should benefit from the development of a wind farm. Wear Point wind farm will create opportunities for local contractors during the construction phase and Infinergy has already built up good relationships with local companies through the construction of its Castle Pill wind farm in Steynton.

Whilst local people will have a chance to comment on our proposals during the planning process, Infinergy has been active over the past year in telling the community about the plans and getting your feedback – much of it very positive.

Consultation activity for Wear Point Wind Farm proposal has included: a project briefing sheet, going door to door in nearby communities to speak to people on the doorstep, briefings with members of the local community, a project newsletter that went out to around 3,500 households, media relations, a freephone number, a dedicated project website with online consultation facility, two locally held public exhibitions, presentations to local interest groups and wind energy lessons in local schools.

To make sure everybody had the chance to experience a wind farm for themselves, Infinergy hosted guided tours for the public to see Castle Pill Wind Farm in Steynton. Children from Neyland Community School took part in a naming competition for the turbines, which are now known as Spinny, Hurricane and Aero.