PROPOSALS

*Please note that the statutory consultation has now closed*

We are currently reviewing and analysing all of the feedback received and finalising our development proposals. A detailed summary of this process and our responses to all feedback received will be documented and presented in the Pre-Application Consultation Report, which will accompany the final planning submission.

The Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) stage for the Rhyswg Wind Farm (DNS CAS-03701-H3V4Y3) ran from Tuesday 25 November 2025 until 11:59PM Friday 30 January 2026. During this stage, we consulted with specialist consultees, key local stakeholders, residents, community councils and local organisations, to help refine our proposals. We hosted two public drop-in events to share our plans and gather feedback about our proposals. Details of the events can be found below:

Llanfach Village Hall, Pen-Rhiw Terrace, Abercarn, Newport, NP11 5JU

Monday 8th December 2025

2pm until 7pm

Newbridge Memo, High St, Newport, NP11 4FH

Tuesday 9th December 2025

2pm until 7pm

Pennant Walters is seeking to develop a wind farm of up to 20MW on a site between Abercarn and Cwmcarn, South Wales, known as Rhyswg Wind Farm.

At this early stage, the project is comprised of:

• Up to three wind turbines at a maximum height to tip of 180m;

• Substation and transformer housing;

• Temporary construction compound;

• Temporary site offices;

• Crane pads and cabling; and

• Access track construction

It is estimated that the wind farm will generate up to 20MW of electricity, which is equivalent to providing enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 13,135 homes[1].

[1] https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/

The site includes land at Rhyswg Farm. The site sits close to Ebbw Forest in the east, and Cwmcarn Forest lies to the south. Abercarn is located to the west of the site and the settlement of Cwmcarn lies approximately 400m to the south of the site. The area identified to host turbines lies entirely within the Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) administrative boundary.

However, the access route does cross into Torfaen County Borough Council (TCBC) administrative boundary and across Mynydd Maen Common, As such, secondary consents under Sections 16 and 38 of the Commons Act 2006 will be required to accompany the DNS application.

Under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, this project is classed as Development of National Significance (DNS) as it is expected to deliver up to 20MW of wind energy. This means Pennant Walters is required to make an application to obtain permission from Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

Once an application has been submitted to PEDW, an assessment will take place before an Inspector determines whether the project will go ahead or not. As part of the application process, there will be a period of consultation giving stakeholders the opportunity to provide comments.

Ultimately, Welsh Ministers will decide whether or not to approve the application, however many other parties will have the opportunity to influence the proposals, including host local authority, Caerphilly County Borough Council, as well as local communities and interested parties.

As part of our commitment to developing new, renewable electricity to help tackle the climate crisis and strengthen the UK’s energy security, we have carried out a comprehensive site selection process across South Wales to identify suitable locations for onshore wind development.

The proposed wind farm is primarily located within a Pre-Assessed Area (PAA) for Wind Energy, as designated in the Future Wales Strategy – highlighting it as a priority area for wind energy generation.

The Welsh Government has identified this area as a key location for wind energy development, supporting their renewable energy targets, which include:

• • 100% of Wales’ electricity needs from renewable sources by 2035.

• • 1.5 GW of renewable energy generation capacity to be locally owned by 2035

• • All new energy projects in Wales to have at least an element of local ownership from 2020.

We are currently in the statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) period for the Rhyswg Wind Farm project, which runs from Friday 25 November 2025 until 11:59PM Friday 30 January 2026. This is a key opportunity for local communities, stakeholders, and interested parties to review the proposals and provide meaningful feedback.

We value your input – your views, concerns, and suggestions will help shape the final application and ensure the project takes account of local priorities.

Once the final planning application is submitted by Pennant Walters, there will be a further opportunity to comment during a formal consultation led by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), giving you another chance to have your say.

You can share your feedback through any of the following methods:

Email: info@rhyswgwindfarm.co.uk

Phone: 0800 699 0081 (freephone)

Post: send to FREEPOST TC CONSULTATION (no further address or stamp required)

Rhyswg Wind Farm offers opportunities for considerable community benefits of various kinds, including the direct benefit of investment in the local area (and supply chain), and the opportunity for employment generation. Pennant Walters ensures that community consideration and local ownership are integral to its wind farm proposals. Examples of previous projects and how they have contributed to the local community can be found on the Pennant Walters website (https://pennantwalters.co.uk/site/).

Yes. We feel that this project could make a significant contribution to the Welsh Government target for local ownership of at least 1.5GW by 2035.

Pennant Walters is very supportive of the principle of community ownership and has facilitated this on a number of its other renewable energy projects in South Wales. We will be exploring how best to involve the community in this for Rhyswg Wind Farm and will share further information soon.

Pennant Walters is Wales’ largest home-grown renewable energy developer and forms part of the Walters Group based in Hirwaun – a local company operating nationally that employs up to 500 people in areas such as civil engineering, plant hire, renewable energy and general development.

The group has diversified significantly over the past 20 years and, since 2003, Pennant Walters has developed, built and now operates six wind farms in South Wales along with some solar totalling approximately 127MW. Pennant Walters also has a further 104MW of onshore wind capacity permitted and awaiting construction over the next few years. The company is committed to developing a long-lasting relationship with all stakeholders including surrounding communities, landowners, local authorities and regulators.

Further information about Pennant Walters can be found on the Pennant Walters website.

While the proposed Rhyswg Wind Farm turbines are not located on common land, the planned access route does pass across Mynydd Maen Common. Therefore, secondary consents under Sections 16 and 38 of the Commons Act 2006 will be required to accompany the DNS application. As part of the Pre-Application process, we are engaging with various common land stakeholders to gather their views, understand any concerns, and ensure that their feedback helps shape the evolving proposals.