Renwable energy in the area

[SteveH]

Welsh Government in push for onshore wind farms as it sets up state-owned firm
It will create a renewable developer to tackle energy insecurity and the cost-of-living crisis

The Welsh Government will set up a state-owned energy developer - focused on building on-shore wind turbines. They said it was in response to energy insecurity, the cost-of-living crisis and the increasing threats posed by the climate and nature emergencies.

Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said energy profits created in Wales will deliver greater benefit for people in Wales.

Surplus funds generated through the new developer will go back into the public purse to be reinvested in improving energy efficiency in homes in Wales and creating good quality, home grown, clean energy jobs.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-government-push-onshore-wind-25354499

[SteveH]

Giant new wind farm off Welsh coast gets signed lease
The Crown Estate has signed agreements for lease for six off-shore wind projects    For one billion pounds see story below

The Crown Estate has signed agreements for lease for six off-shore wind projects, including a huge wind farm off the Welsh coast. The site off Wales, named Mona, has been secured by a partnership between BP and German energy firm EnBW. But put together, the sites have the potential to generate enough renewable electricity for more than seven million homes.

The lease agreements mean developers can now further progress their plans for projects which have the potential to make a major contribution to delivering sustainable, renewable energy for the UK, as well as the UK Government?s target of 50GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030,

Full Report  https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/giant-new-wind-farm-welsh-26015978?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


King Charles has asked for a surge in profits from six new offshore wind farms on the Crown Estate, worth ?1bn, to be used for the "wider public good", rather than the Royal Family.

Funding for the running costs of the Royal Household is currently based on 25% of Crown Estate profits.

King Charles wants to reduce the royal slice of the expected higher earnings.

It would mean a higher proportion of these windfall profits being kept by the Treasury for public spending.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64319323

[SteveH]

You would think we would get cheaper energy bills, as its on our doorstep, but no, we are charged higher than most other regions, it springs to mind, that we paid more for our Welsh water than Birmingham did?

Wales targets 100% of its electricity by renewable sources by 2035 - led by new wind farms
Tory MS Sam Rowlands says the Welsh Government must maximise the economic benefits in North Wales

There is also a target for at least 1.5 GigaWatt of renewable energy capacity to be locally owned by 2035, excluding heat pumps and for 5.5 GigaWatt of renewable energy capacity to be produced by heat pumps by 2035 - with UK Government support and improvements in tech.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-targets-100-electricity-renewable-26062715

[SteveH]

Offshore wind powering almost half of UK homes, says Crown Estate
The authority said 2022 was a record year for offshore wind in UK waters

Offshore wind farms in UK waters generated enough energy to power 41% of (11.5m) homes last year, The Crown Estate has said. Publishing its latest report, the authority, which is owned by the monarchy, said 2022 was a record year for UK offshore wind, generating 45TWh (terrawatt hour) of electricity last year, up from 37TWh in 2021 and a sixfold increase over the past 10 years.

The Crown Estate estimates this to rise to 47% of UK homes by the end of 2023. The new record was achieved despite 2022 wind speeds coming in lower than the long-term average.

The report also showed offshore wind providing 14% of total UK electricity generation (business and domestic), compared to 38% from gas. While the UK?s 2022 offshore wind output of 45TWh saved the equivalent of 17m tonnes of CO2 emissions.

cont https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/offshore-wind-powering-almost-half-26851157?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Plan for giant wind farm off North Wales sparks health and environmental fears
Up to 107 turbines are set to be built off the coast of Conwy

When asked by planning officers about his concerns, Cllr Lloyd said he wanted assurances about both human and animal health. Cllr Andrew Wood, however, raised the issue of beach erosion and said developers needed to be aware of drilling near the old landfill site at Llanddulas, which he claimed was already posing an environmental risk.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plan-giant-wind-farm-north-27155353

[SteveH]

PROPOSALS for a wind farm to be installed in Conwy have been withdrawn by the applicant company.

Bute Energy?s project to construct turbines in Moelfre Uchaf faced opposition from some residents, who highlighted the negative impact it would have on the area.

It was feared the mega turbines would be a blight on the landscape, and at public meetings residents also raised concerns over noise, flooding and infrasound.

?The proposals for monstrous turbines of up to 250 metres in height would have been devastating for the area, ruining lives and livelihoods, and had a significant and detrimental impact on the North Wales landscape.

?Wind farms should only be constructed in places where they enjoy community support ? this location isn?t one of them.?  Ref pioneer

[SteveH]

Plans for Wales' first floating wind farm will be delayed by one year as UK government funding is too low, the firm behind the plans says.
Blue Gem Wind did not bid for a UK government contract, a decision which industry voices said was a "huge wake-up call" for Westminster.

It has been claimed that Erebus wind farm, which was due to be commissioned in 2026, could create 10,000 jobs.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66748924


No new offshore wind projects have been bought by developers at a key government auction, dealing a blow to the UK's renewable power strategy.
Results showed no bids for new offshore wind farms, but there were deals for solar, tidal and onshore wind projects.

Firms have argued the price set for electricity generated was too low to make offshore wind projects viable.

The government said a "global rise" in inflation impacting supply chains had "presented challenges for projects".
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66749344

[SteveH]

Anglesey tidal scheme gets green light to produce electricity for National Grid
The renewable project has been hailed 'a significant step forward for tidal stream technology'

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/anglesey-tidal-scheme-gets-green-27677800?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Wind farm that could power half of all homes in Wales gets its final approval
Awel y M?r offshore wind farm, off the coast of Conwy county, has received its final marine licence

This follows them securing a development consent order from UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, in September. It would be Wales? largest renewable energy investment this decade and be located alongside the operational 576 megawatt (MW) Gwynt y M?r offshore wind farm.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wind-farm-could-power-half-28251140?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589