WIND turbines almost as tall as Blackpool Tower and taller than the London Eye are planned for the hills above the Dee Valley.
Up to 25 turbines proposed for Mynydd Mynyllod near Llandrillo, will dwarf those already in place at the nearby Braich Ddu and those at the Foel Goch windfarm at Nantglyn.
The Free Press was given a guided visit by the new wind farm developers Scottish Power Renewables to their huge windfarms near Glasgow and Edinburgh, where over 200 turbines produce electricity for Scotland’s two largest cities.
Although the turbines were almost noiseless and spectacular to see in operation, and a very popular tourist attraction, their sheer size make them visible for over 20 miles.
THE UK’s leading developer of onshore windfarms is planning to come to Llandrillo.
ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) is part of Iberdrola SA, the world’s largest developer of renewable energy, and currently has 30 onshore windfarms in the UK (either in full operation, under construction, and in planning).
The windfarm giant is proposing to build between 15 and 25 turbines, up to a tip height of 145 metres, on land at Mynydd Mynyllod.
If granted the windfarm, depending on the amount of turbines, could have a capacity of up to 75 MW, capable of supplying renewable energy to approximately 40,000 homes.
To windfarm supporters, and SPR - producing green energy is the future.
But there are many people against windfarms, who say these giant turbines: damage the appearance of our countryside, are a noise pollution, and will have a negative effect on tourism and property prices.
The Free Press was given an exclusive tour around two of SPR’s biggest windfarms, located in Scotland.
The first was at Black Law windfarm, near Edinburgh, and one of the largest operational windfarms in the UK.
Built in 2006, Black Law has 54 turbines, which generates 124MW of green energy, and powers 70,000 homes.
The second stop was at Europe’s largest onshore windfarm - Whitelee, located about 20 minutes from the centre of Glasgow.
The site has 140 turbines, with a capacity of 322MW, enough to power the equivalent of over 180,000 homes, and covers three counties.
Construction began in 2007 and the windfarm began exporting energy in January 2008, and was completed in September 2009.
The site is currently being extended, with an extra 75 turbines being added.
This windfarm is the first in Scotland to have its own visitor centre.
The Free Press visited the site on a Friday afternoon, the centre was full with people, some had travelled especially to see the windfarm, others were there to use the land to walk their dogs or cycle.
The centre includes a cafe with a viewing deck, an exhibition room, a learning hub, and a shop.
Work on the site was taking place during the Free Press’ visit, a number of these new turbines are the same size as those being planned for Mynydd Mynyllod.
If the plans for Mynydd Mynyllod Windfarm are passed, as with all windfarms, the local community will be given a community benefit fund.
The fund, which will be between £100,000 and £150,000, depending on the amount of turbines, will be given to the community to use for the 25 years of the windfarms operation, which works out over £2.5 million in total.
“The money can be spent how the community wish,” said Derek Christie, ScottishPower Renewables marketing and communications executive.
“It is not ring fenced.
“We are already involved with two community projects: sponsorship of the South Denbighshire Community partnership mini-bus, and sponsorship of the Crogen Cadet Challenge.”
The mini-bus service Bws Ni will provide a transport service to local community groups surrounding the proposed Mynydd Mynyllod Windfarm.
The Crogen Cadet Challenge is held to bring together cadets from youth organisations such as the Armed and Emergency Services to showcase the community work they do.