Climate

Plaid motion seeks tougher rules on major wind and solar schemes in Carms

Published

4 months ago

November 13, 2025

A PLAID CYMRU motion calling for stricter conditions on large windfarm and solar developments in Carmarthenshire was agreed at a full council meeting on Wednesday (Nov 12).

The motion urges the Welsh Government to “pause” new Developments of National Significance (DNS) and future Strategic Infrastructure Project applications for major renewable schemes until stronger safeguards are put in place. Councillors argued that the cumulative impact of multiple large projects is not being fully considered and that undergrounding of distribution cables should become standard practice.

During the debate, several members raised concerns that Wales is being used primarily as a generator of green energy, with too few benefits staying in local communities. They stressed that while the transition to low-carbon energy is essential, communities must have greater control over how schemes are planned and delivered.

A separate proposal put forward by two Reform UK councillors, calling for a full moratorium on all wind and solar applications, was not approved. Members said such a blanket halt would block well-designed, community-owned renewable projects.

Concerns over landscape, infrastructure and food production

Cllr Handel Davies, who introduced the Plaid motion, said the intention was not to oppose renewable energy but to ensure proper scrutiny of its impacts. He said large turbines, pylons and associated infrastructure were reshaping rural landscapes, disrupting biodiversity and creating long-term effects on farming and tourism.

Cllr Denise Owen told colleagues that residents in Llanybydder and surrounding areas felt overwhelmed by the volume of applications. She said that while each scheme might appear manageable when viewed alone, the combined effect of heavy construction traffic, pylons and substations was “relentless”.

Cllr Arwel Davies said many rural communities in the north of the county were alarmed by proposals for even bigger turbines in forestry and upland areas. He argued that Welsh Ministers must fully consider the cumulative impact before granting further consents.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, said Carmarthenshire was committed to reaching net zero but warned that Wales had historically been treated as a resource to be exploited. He said the county wanted renewable energy to deliver long-term economic benefits locally, rather than profits flowing out of Wales.

On solar projects, Cllr Hefin Jones raised concerns that large-scale developments could displace food production at a time when global instability is making both food and energy security increasingly important. He said smaller, well-designed schemes could work alongside agriculture, but called for a pause on major solar DNS applications until balance is restored.

What the motion calls for

The notice of motion sets out several expectations the council wants the Welsh Government to meet before any new major wind or solar applications are accepted. These include:

a clear plan for assessing cumulative impact across all outstanding applications
a commitment to undergrounding new transmission lines of 132kV and above
clarity on how the electricity network will be upgraded to manage future demand
better alignment between planning regimes for generation sites and transmission routes
assurance that new projects will not be approved unless they can be delivered and connected in a way that respects local communities and landscapes

Members said Carmarthenshire already makes a substantial contribution to Wales’ renewable energy output and supports small-scale and locally-owned schemes. However, they insisted that a stronger framework is needed to ensure the rapid expansion of large developments does not come at the cost of rural communities, farmland or natural habitats.

Climate

Green hydrogen plant approved for Milford Haven Freeport site

Published

4 days ago

March 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Major investment expected to boost low-carbon industry and create skilled jobs in West Wales

A MAJOR green hydrogen project planned for the Milford Haven Freeport tax site has taken a significant step forward after developers approved the final investment decision.

Energy company MorGen Energy has confirmed it will proceed with the West Wales Hydrogen project, one of the first schemes backed through the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) to reach this stage.

The facility will be built within the Milford Haven Tax Site, part of the Celtic Freeport zone covering Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the plant scheduled to become operational in early 2028.

Once completed, the site is expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen each year, meeting the UK’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.

The hydrogen produced will support a range of industries, including port operations, manufacturing and industrial heating, as well as use as a chemical feedstock.

Supporters say the development will help reduce carbon emissions while strengthening Milford Haven’s role in the UK’s emerging hydrogen economy.

The project is also expected to create skilled jobs and provide work for local contractors during the construction phase.

Further expansion may be possible in future phases as demand for hydrogen grows, potentially helping establish Milford Haven as a major hub for low-carbon energy production serving South Wales and beyond.

Luciana Ciubotariu, Chief Executive of Celtic Freeport, said the decision marked another milestone for the region.

She said: “MorGen Energy’s decision is another major step forward for the hydrogen economy in South West Wales.

“Projects like this within the Milford Haven Tax Site show how the Celtic Freeport is accelerating decarbonisation while creating high-value jobs.”

The UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round scheme provides revenue support to help scale up the country’s low-carbon hydrogen sector and bring early projects to market.

Climate

Assault investigation launched after biker gang incident on A48

Published

6 days ago

March 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE appeal for witnesses after man reportedly attacked by group of eight men near Llanddarog junction

Local officers are investigating an alleged assault that took place on the A48 westbound at the Llanddarog junction, before the Nantycaws turn-off, at around 2:30pm on Saturday (Mar 7).

The incident is reported to have involved eight men who had parked Harley-Davidson motorcycles in a lay-by. The group allegedly assaulted a man who was travelling in a car.

The victim sustained moderate injuries and their vehicle was also damaged during the incident.

Anyone with information, or with private CCTV or dashcam footage showing suspicious activity in the area at the time, is asked to contact police in one of the following ways:

Online: https://orlo.uk/KRjzb
Email: [email protected]
Call: 101

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please quote reference: DP-20260307-227.

Climate

Wind farm proposal in Teifi Valley withdrawn after developer review

Published

7 days ago

March 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Countryside charity welcomes decision but warns over cumulative impact of dozens of schemes across Wales

THE WELSH countryside charity CPRW has welcomed the decision by energy developer Bute Energy to withdraw its planning application for the proposed Nant Ceiment Energy Park in Carmarthenshire.

The scheme would have seen up to thirteen large wind turbines constructed in the Teifi Valley landscape.

Bute Energy confirmed the withdrawal following what it described as a detailed review of environmental, land and commercial factors, concluding that the project was not viable in its current form.

Local residents and campaigners had raised concerns about the potential impact of the turbines and the wider cumulative effect of multiple large wind developments being proposed across rural Wales.

CPRW chairman Jonty Colchester said the decision demonstrated the importance of scrutiny and public engagement during the planning process.

He said: “We welcome the withdrawal of the Nant Ceiment proposal. It shows that careful scrutiny and community engagement matter.

“Wales does need renewable energy, but it must be delivered through a strategic and coordinated approach that fully respects our landscapes, biodiversity and rural communities.”

The charity says it is currently monitoring more than seventy wind energy proposals progressing through the planning system across Wales.

These include major schemes such as Lan Fawr, Banc y Celyn, Gaerwen, Nant Mithil, Mynydd Maen and projects being promoted by the publicly owned developer Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru.

CPRW warned that several developments in south Wales highlight growing concerns about cumulative impact.

Planning decisions are still pending for schemes including Mynydd Maen, proposed by RES, and Trecelyn, promoted by Pennant Walters. Both developments are linked to the recently approved 92-acre Cil-lonydd solar farm.

Further proposals include four turbines at Rhyswg, while hearings are due to consider the Mynydd Llanhilleth scheme, which would involve seven turbines standing up to 180 metres high.

Campaigners say that when these projects are considered together, they raise concerns about the gradual expansion of large-scale energy infrastructure and the potential industrialisation of wide areas of upland Wales.

While supporting the transition to renewable energy, CPRW says it wants to see a more strategic approach to development that balances the need for green power with protection for landscapes, biodiversity and tourism.

The organisation is calling for a national renewables strategy that takes cumulative impacts into account, with greater emphasis placed on offshore wind projects. It is also urging improved transparency and stronger community involvement earlier in the planning process, alongside robust environmental standards to prevent unsuitable developments going ahead.

Further information on onshore wind proposals across Wales is available on the CPRW website.