Campaigners oppose plans for energy parks and pylons

CAMPAIGNERS have packed a public meeting to discuss controversial plans for new pylons and energy parks.

- IAN LEWIS

An example of Green GEN Cymru's pylons earmarked for Carmarthenshire

(Green GEN Cymru)

The Carmarthenshire Residents Action Group (CRAiG Sir Gar) met in Pumpsaint and heard calls for a united front against the large-scale proposals for the county's countryside.

Residents fear historic landscapes will be devastated by a growing series of major wind, solar and pylon projects. In July, concerns were raised over a new wind farm announced for the Brechfa area of Carmarthenshire, which will follow in the footsteps of two others already earmarked for west Wales.

The project, announced over the summer, is being planned by Welsh Government-owned Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, which says the scheme will “enhance access for walkers, runners, cyclists and horse-riding within the [Brechfa] forest”.

Up to 27 wind turbines would be built on the land, generating enough energy to power 144,000 Welsh homes. It would create 250 construction jobs and around 15 direct and 20 indirect jobs, and is one of three wind farms planned across Wales.

Two further wind farm schemes being plotted locally are Bryn Cadwgan and Nant Ceiment.

Bryn Cadwgan is being planned for the Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion border, approximately six miles to the east of Lampeter, six miles to the south of Tregaron and just under 10 miles to the north of Llandovery. This would comprise 25 turbines to power up to 115,000 homes and plans are being developed by Galileo 06 Limited.

Nant Ceiment by Bute Energy is proposed for land approximately three miles south of Lampeter. This site would include up to 13 wind turbines, generating enough power for up to 61,100 households a year.

These energy parks are on top of two pylon schemes being plotted by Green GEN Cymru.