PLANS for a 36-turbine wind farm in the middle of the Radnor Forest are going before the local community next week.

Public exhibitions on the proposed Nant Mithil Energy Park are being held in New Radnor and Penybont next Wednesday and Thursday (September 28 and 29).

Welsh firm Bute Energy is developing proposals to introduce approximately 36 wind turbines, with a maximum blade height of 220m on a site between Penybont and New Radnor, near Llandegley.

It is estimated that the energy park could generate up to 235 megawatts (MW) of wind energy, enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of about 200,000 homes.

The exhibitions will be held at the New Radnor Centre next Wednesday and at the Penybont District Community Centre on Thursday between 3pm and 8pm.

Bute's project manager Dafydd Williams said: “We believe that energy parks, such as Nant Mithil, can play an important role in increasing renewable energy generation within Wales and securing affordable energy security for the UK.

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“We want to hear from as many people as possible about their thoughts on our initial proposals for the site as this plays an important part in developing the onward plans. We want the local communities to have the opportunity to influence the proposals we’re developing."

The proposed development will also comprise an electrical substation and control building, underground power cables, anemometer masts, site access tracks, habitat management and, where necessary, and off-site highways improvements – including a new bridge over the River Wye.

The plans may also include solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage, subject to further technical studies.

The site is currently used for pasture grazing, moorland and forestry. It is near to Water Breaks Its Neck – a waterfall and trail popular with walkers – as well as the Radnor Range, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) accredited independent weapons and ordnance test house.

Bute Energy insists it is committed to working closely with local communities in relation to the Nant Mithil project, including potential uses for the community benefit fund associated with the project.

In addition to the public exhibitions, the project team will also host a webinar on Wednesday, October 4, from 6-7pm at nantmithilenergypark.wales/.

The public exhibition boards can be viewed online from Wednesday, September 28, and online feedback forms are available at the project website. The deadline for comments is Monday, October 31, and it will help inform final proposals for the park.

The Radnor Forest wind farm project comes after Bute Energy announced in July it was seeking planning for two other energy parks near Llangurig.

The Banc Du Energy Park and Rhiwlas Energy Park would see a possible 22 wind turbines erected – the operational Bryn Titli and Bryn Blaen wind farm sites are already operational nearby.

Community consultation events for Banc Du and Rhiwlas were postponed by Bute Energy last week in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. and will now take place 3.30-7.30pm on Tuesday, October 4, at Llanidloes Community Hall and at Llangurig Community Centre the following evening.