We are proposing up to six turbines, that will have the capacity to generate 25.2MW.   This is enough to power 20,000 homes. We are currently proposing turbines with a maximum tip height of 230m. However, feedback from our initial consultation expressed concern about the number and height of the proposed turbines, and we are taking this into consideration as we continue to revise the scheme.

The site sits within one of the Welsh Government’s Pre-Assessed Areas, which has been identified as an area capable of accommodating large-scale onshore wind development from a landscape perspective, as well as having a suitable wind resource which lends itself to development of this type.

The Welsh Government has set a target for Wales to generate 100% of the electricity it consumes from renewable sources by 2035. To meet this ambition, we need additional onshore wind, as well offshore wind, solar PV, energy storage, hydrogen and electric vehicles, together with energy efficiency.  To tackle the Climate Emergency that Wales and other UK and international governments have declared, we must make progress during the 2020s. Onshore wind is the fastest and most easily deployable renewable energy that we have at our disposal now and therefore we feel that the Waun Maenllwyd Energy Hub can help to play a part in meeting these goals, reducing the UK’s dependency on foreign energy sources and ensure a greater level of stability in energy prices in the longer term. Unfortunatley offshore wind is more expensive and takes significantly longer to develop, consent and construct.

The project will connect to the local grid network via a 33kV overhead line running to Lampeter.  The cable will be supported on wooden poles, like those already in the area.  We have no proposals to erect large pylons as part of this project.  The exact connection route will be designed by National Grid over the next few years and will be subject to its own planning application process, including public consultations.

Belltown has no plans to expand the proposed Waun Maenllwyd site beyond the 25.2MW scheme currently proposed, and no plans for other projects in the area. Like Waun Maenllwyd, every project that is proposed by any developer will undergo a rigorous planning application process and is ultimately assessed on its own merits by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), who will subsequently make a recommendation to the Welsh Ministers as to whether to grant planning permission or not.

As the project will deliver in excess of 10MW of wind energy, it will constitute a Development of National Significance (DNS) under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 and Belltown Power must apply to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW, formerly the Planning Inspectorate Wales), which will make a recommendation to Welsh Ministers on whether planning permission should be granted.

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 the host local authority, Ceredigion County Council, as well as local communities and interested parties.

We have already undertaken a phase of informal consultation and before we can submit the application, we are required to undertake a period of statutory consultation.  This will take place in the first half of 2024 and will be an opportunity for people to review the findings and proposed mitigations within our draft Environmental Statement, as well as submit their views, questions, or concerns about the project. 

We will write to residents directly giving them more details about our plans and how they can attend consultation events and provide feedback.  Information will also be posted on social media, via the website, issued via email through our updates mailing list and in local newspapers.

We are committed to engaging openly and honestly, in as accessible and inclusive a way as possible and would therefore encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about the project or providing their views to get in touch. The best way to do this is via email to waunmaenllwyd@belltownpower.co.uk.

Our proposed timeline is available on our website here.

We are aiming to submit our proposals to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) in 2024. PEDW will then review our planning application and make a recommendation to Welsh Ministers, who will decide whether or not to grant planning consent. The construction timeline depends on when a final decision on whether to grant planning permission is made, which can take 12 months or longer.  There may also be further conditions that we have to meet as part of the planning process. We hope to begin construction in early 2026, and begin commercial operation in late 2027.   

If consented, Waun Maenllwyd Wind Energy Hub would be in place for 40 years after construction. At the end of its life, the site may be repowered and continue to generate energy, or the turbines will be fully decommissioned and removed from the area.

In order for the site to be repowered, a further planning application would need to be submitted, considered and consented. 

It is hard to know what the best practice will be for decommissioning that far in the future, but every effort will be made to recycle or re-use components before anything is sent to landfill. The UK is committed to developing at least one specialist wind turbine blade recycling/re-use facility by 2030, and the industry is actively moving towards a circular economy model through the work of the Coalition for Wind Industry Circularity.

In addition to working with local councils to ensure that the decommissioning process is as smooth as possible, a financial fund will also be put aside for decommissioning so that, in the unlikely event that Belltown was to go in bankruptcy, the windfarm would still be decommissioned safely. This decommissioning fund will be calculated by an independent surveyor and agreed with the Council.

Belltown Power UK is a British owned company with headquarters in Bristol. Profits from the scheme will be distributed to our shareholders and employees.

Belltown wants to enable local ownership of the projects we develop. One per cent of the Waun Maenllwyd project is available for free, a further 4% at cost (discounted from market price), and further equity will be available at market price if there is appetite in the area. The remainder of the developed project is owned by the Joint Venture Belltown have with investment partner Foresight Group.

Wales is currently a net exporter of energy: in 2022, 29 Terrawatt-hours (TWh)* of electricity was generated in Wales, less than half of which (13TWh) was consumed in the country. However, over three quarters of this energy was produced from non-renewable sources, primarily gas.[1] To meet the Welsh Government's target for Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, this fossil fuel power needs to be replaced with renewable generation. 

The switch from fossil fuels to renewable electricity, which is happening now in sectors such as heating (air or ground-source heat pumps) and transport (electric vehicles), is also expected to result in Wales’ electricity consumption doubling by 2050.[2]

Overall, to reach Net Zero by 2050 and supply enough electricity to meet growing demand, total renewable energy deployment in Wales needs to almost double from 3.5 Gigawatts (GW)** in 2021 to 6.6GW by 2030, and then triple again to 18.2GW by 2050.[3] This isn’t taking into account that much of the existing wind generation in Wales will reach the end of its operational life in this time period, so also needs to be replaced with new renewable energy generation.

Much of Wales’ required renewable capacity can be built as offshore windfarms in the Celtic Sea, which has been assessed as potentially being able to accommodate up to 24GW by 2045.[4] However, the rising prices of turbine components and manufacture is squeezing the economic viability of offshore wind: at the latest Contracts for Difference auction in Autumn 2023, where government support is offered through a fixed price for energy, no offshore projects entered bids as the fixed price was simply too low to allow projects to be economically viable.[5] The strike price for offshore wind has now been raised by 66% for the next round of auctions this year.[6] Onshore wind projects, which cost around half as much to deploy, were much more successful and can be deployed in much shorter timeframes, therefore contributing towards the 2030 renewable capacity needed to stay on course for Net Zero, as well as generating the cheapest form of electricity in the UK.

With this in mind, Renewables UK, an industry body, has calculated that onshore wind capacity in Wales needs to increase to 3.5GW by 2030 in order to meet our Net Zero targets,[7] from 1.3GW in 2022.[8] This is equivalent to approximately 300 additional modern onshore wind turbines. Planning applications for Developments of National Significance (DNS) are currently in progress include around 320 turbines,[9] although a lot of these are at early stages and not all will get planning consent.

*TWh = Terrawatt hours, a unit of measurement for energy. An average home uses 2700 kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity each year, which equates to 2.7 Megawatt-hours (MWh) or 0.0000027 Terrawatt-hours.

** GW = Gigawatts, a measure of power, or the amount of energy that is used or supplied to the grid at any given moment. A GW is 1 billion watts.

This website provides a good explanation of the difference between energy (kWh) and power (kW) - What Is A Kilowatt-Hour (kWh) & What Can 1 kWh Power? | USE (utilitysavingexpert.com)

[1] Energy Generation in Wales: 2022 (gov.wales) p.3

[2] Energy Generation in Wales: 2022 (gov.wales) p.7

[3] Energy Systems Catapult, 2023. Future Energy Grids for Wales (FEW) – Insights Report. Issue 1.1, p.3 Accessible on Future Energy Grids for Wales - Energy Systems Catapult

[4] ORE Catapult Launches First Floater Supply Chain Development Scheme in Wales | Offshore Wind

[5] No Bidders in British Offshore Wind Auction - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

[6] AR6 core parameters published | Contracts for difference CfD (cfdallocationround.uk)

[7]https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.renewableuk.com/resource/resmgr/media/onshore_wind_prospectus_fina.pdf p.38

[8] Energy Generation in Wales: 2022 (gov.wales) p.6

[9] Search for a case - Planning Casework (gov.wales) – accessed 4/3/24

Wind and solar generate electricity intermittently, when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. To ensure electricity is available when it is needed, there are many options available for storing it in the national grid.

Large-scale battery storage technology is now readily available and being deployed. At UK level, National Grid Scenarios modelling suggests we need to connect 22-32 Gigawatts (GW)* of battery storage to the grid by 2050,[1] but that deployment is moving quickly, with 18GW already expected to connect to the system by 2028.[2]

Around 35% of these batteries will likely be in Scotland, and a variety of technologies are under development alongside the standard lithium-ion battery, including compressed air, gravity and flow battery technology.[3] In Wales, there were four operating commercial scale battery sites as of 2022 with a combined total power capacity of 27 Megawatts (MW),[4] but a further 750MW of battery storage sites have planning permission, and projects totalling another 650MW have submitted planning applications.[5] We currently intend for Waun Maenllwyd to contribute to this effort with a battery onsite.

Besides batteries, electricity can be stored using pumped hydro storage or thermal storage solutions, and the Welsh Government is also supporting development of electricity storage using hydrogen.[6] Consumer behaviour (or ‘demand side response’) will also play a critical role by reducing demand on the grid at any one time and therefore reducing the overall storage capacity needed. This is through households and businesses adapting to increase energy efficiency (for example through smart heating and building insulation) and managing their electricity use over the day (for example by using white goods and charging electric vehicles overnight).

Using a combination of batteries, existing pumped hydro storage, hydrogen and demand side response, modelling commissioned by the Welsh Government suggests that, depending on future decisions made regarding Wales’ energy system, there may not be a need for any additional pumped hydro storage and associated reservoirs to reach Net Zero by 2050.[7]

*GW = Gigawatts, a unit of power capacity, or the amount of energy available at any given instant. 1 GW = 1000 Megawatts (MW).

The MW rating of a battery is the amount of power available when it is fully charged. Batteries also have a MWh (Megawatt-hour) duration, which says how long the battery could discharge its full power capacity for. For example, a 1MW battery with a 1.5MWh duration could discharge 1MW of power for 1.5hours.

[1] download (nationalgrideso.com) p.194, Fig FL11

[2] download (nationalgrideso.com) p.146

[3] What is battery storage? | National Grid Group

[4] Energy Generation in Wales: 2022 (gov.wales) p.39

[5] Renewable Energy Planning Database, Jan 2024, downloaded 4/3/24. Renewable Energy Planning Database: quarterly extract - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

[6] Energy Systems Catapult, 2023. Future Energy Grids for Wales (FEW) – Insights Report. Issue 1.1, Accessible on Future Energy Grids for Wales - Energy Systems Catapult

[7] Energy Systems Catapult, 2023. Future Energy Grids for Wales (FEW) – Insights Report. Issue 1.1, p.14 Accessible on Future Energy Grids for Wales - Energy Systems Catapult

At Belltown Power we fundamentally believe that renewable energy projects should benefit the communities that host them, and we are proposing two separate offerings to realise this. 

Firstly, we guarantee £5,000 (index-linked) per year of community benefit funding for every MW of capacity.  Waun Maenllwyd has a capacity of 25.2MW, which equates to around £126,000 every year index linked, or around £5 million over the 40-year lifetime of the project. We look to work with the local communities to identify community benefit initiatives that can have a meaningful impact and legacy, whether that is through the Community Benefit Fund, local electricity discounts, education, local businesses or enhancing the local environment. The feedback received so far shows a strong interest in a local energy discount scheme and using funds to support community groups and youth groups. We intend further develop these ideas and consult further on our proposal in the next phase of consultation.

Over the coming months, we will work closely with relevant local councils, stakeholders, community groups and others to identify areas or issues which could be addressed through the proposed community benefit fund. While we expect the majority of the funding will be focused on the area around Llanddewi Brefi as the site’s host community, we are keen to hear views on how best to apportion shares to neighbouring communities as well.

Secondly, we are also committed to giving 1% of the project ownership to local communities for free and offering a further 4% ownership at cost (discounted from market value). Further ownership will be available at market value if there is appetite from the local community. Again, we will be seeking to discuss this offer with local councils and stakeholders in the coming weeks and months to understand the level of interest in this offer as well as the best way for communities to make the most of this.

As part of our plans for Waun Maenllwyd Energy Hub we will be establishing a Community Benefit Fund which will help to support projects and tackle issues in local communities around the site. Further details about this fund will be confirmed as we progress through the planning stages of the project, however, we would be keen to speak with anyone with an interest or experience in operating Community Benefit Funds or similar initiatives in the area through the early consultation process.

At this early stage it is difficult to put a number on exactly how many jobs will be created, but this will be calculated and presented in our planning application. Our proposals will, however, generate a significant boost to the local economy. To ensure that we generate the maximum economic impact in the areas surrounding the site, we will be looking to build up a network of local suppliers to take forward into the procurement stage, should we receive planning consent. Of equal importance to us will be working with a wide range of stakeholders to identify how the project can support jobs and training opportunities directly as well as through the wider supply chain, demonstrating our commitment to the local and regional economy.

We encourage local businesses and suppliers to get in touch with us or to register as a local business through our feedback form.

Our specialist transport engineers have undertaken several detailed assessments of the possible routes to reach site. Turning off at Pumsaint and travelling along existing and new forestry track to reach the site from the south is the least disruptive route to take given the length of the proposed turbine blades and tower sections, and prioritising this southern route will also help to minimise the amount of construction traffic along the rural roads around Llanddewi Brefi.

Nonetheless, we fully appreciate that, for a limited time during construction, we will be adding more traffic to the existing logging lorries in the local area. During deliveries, we will operate a text alert service for local residents to inform them of each turbine delivery as it is confirmed with Dyfed-Powys Police so they can plan their day accordingly. During operation, traffic associated with the wind farm will be limited to one or two small maintenance vehicles once a month or so.

We understand there is concern about the visual impact of the site and the size of the turbines. One of the reasons this site was chosen is because it is in one of the Welsh Government’s Pre-Assessed Areas (PAA), which the government has identified as part of the Future Wales National Development Framework as areas capable of accommodating large-scale onshore wind turbines from a landscape perspective.

Being part of a PAA doesn’t change the need for a detailed assessment of the site’s impacts, and as part of our formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) our landscape architects complete a thorough landscape and visual impact assessment of the project which will include evaluating the visual impact of the turbines from key locations including local residential areas. Where required, this assessment will include photomontage images showing the turbines in the landscape, and these images will be submitted as part of the publicly available ES, which will also be consulted on during our statutory pre-application consultation next year. In the meantime, our in-person and virtual exhibitions, held during the initial informal consultation in mid 2023, included indicative views from Lampeter and the Cistercian Way in Llanddewi Brefi (available to view on the project website). These viewpoints were chosen to demonstrate the areas where the visual impact of the project is likely to be most significant, as in many areas of the village the turbines are likely to be completely screened by vegetation and topography.

The height of the turbines we are proposing is determined largely by market forces. Since the removal of subsidies in 2017, manufacturers have had to focus on larger turbines in order to make onshore wind financially viable again. As a result, they are phasing out manufacture of smaller turbines and so current site development needs to ensure that the turbines proposed will be available at the time sites could start construction. This has fed into the turbine sizing proposed on Waun Maenllwyd.

There is no clear consensus among academic studies about the impact of turbines on property prices. Although a 2014 study suggested that house prices could grow up to 5-6% more slowly if they were within 4km of turbines, the methodology used was somewhat simplistic, so the results aren’t completely reliable. The study assumed turbine visibility is the key driver for impact to house prices, but didn’t account for buildings or other structures obstructing turbine views so not all the properties considered had views of turbines. It also analysed data on a postcode level only, effectively assuming that all properties within a postcode are interchangeable.

A more recent study in Scotland found that there was no effect on house prices within a 4km radius of turbines, and there was in fact a slight benefit to house prices where turbines were visible 4-5km away. This study updated and refined the methodology used in 2014. We will ensure that Waun Maenllwyd turbines are sited as sensitively as possible to minimise views of turbines in the local area.

There is no strong evidence to suggest the presence of wind farms negatively affect tourism in an area.  Indeed, some wind farms have visitor centres to attract tourists to the area. The socio-economic impact of the proposals, including any potential impact on tourism and related businesses, will be studied and report on as part of our Environmental Impact Assessment, which will subsequently be included in our draft Environmental Statement (ES). The draft ES will be available for members of the public, stakeholders and other interested parties to review and comment on as part of our statutory consultation process.

As part of our Environmental Impact Assessment, we have been undertaking detailed bird and ecology surveys across the site and the immediate area for the last two years, which will directly inform the location and type of turbines we propose for the scheme. The findings of these surveys as assessments will be detailed in our draft Environmental Statement (ES), which will be available for people to review and comment on during the statutory consultation phase.

We are continuing to refine our plans for the site and will not place turbines or infrastructure where key habitats are identified, or in areas where collision risk modelling suggests there would be an unacceptable risk for the bird species studied. If planning consent is granted, an Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) would be on site during construction and, should any sensitive species be encountered, the ECoW will advise appropriate buffers from work fronts to avoid disturbance.We will additionally commit to a habitat management plan which ensures an increase in key habitat areas as part of the development. 

We have also been undertaking detailed peat surveys which has shown there to be almost no good quality peatland habitat on site, which is to be expected due to the dewatering effects of commercial forestry. Turbines and infrastructure will be carefully sited, using this survey data, to minimise any peat disturbance and avoid any good quality peatland habitat. As such, we are confident we can design a site that has no significant impact on blanket bog.

The planning application will include a detailed assessment of the net carbon impact of the development using robust government methodologies. This will include consideration of the carbon emissions from the manufacturing, transport, construction and decommissioning of the turbines and site infrastructure, as well as loss of carbon sequestration potential from any tree felling and peat disturbance. Generally, these assessments show the carbon emissions from manufacturing, transport, construction, decommissioning, and loss of carbon sequestration are paid back by the carbon saving from replacing fossil-fuel power generation in approximately 1-2 years of the windfarm operating, and we expect this site to be the same. These assessments also show, for UK wind farms, that the carbon savings over their operational life are many orders of magnitude higher than even the most pristine blanket bog.

As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment, our specialist consultants will carefully consider the potential impact of both noise and shadow flicker. After measuring background noise data in the area, they can accurately model the turbine conditions and any effects that may result. The primary mitigation for noise and shadow flicker is ensuring the turbines are not placed too close to residential properties, which we seek to ensure through our careful site selection process as well as refinements to design in response to engagement with statutory bodies and wider public consultation and engagement. If required however, mitigation can also be put in place to reduce the impacts, including turning turbines off for a limited time in certain conditions to ensure no unacceptable noise or shadow flicker impacts. Any proposed mitigations would also be included in our draft ES, so that local residents could see and understand what we are planning to minimise the impact of these issues.

In short, no. Infrasound is a term generally used to describe sounds waves with a frequency of less than 20 hertz (Hz), which is outside normal human hearing. Wind turbines can create some infrasound, but no more so than many manmade sources like traffic, trains, bridges and machinery, and natural sources including thunder, waves and the wind itself.

A recent review of 69 academic studies published since 2017 regarding infrasound and wind turbines[1] concluded that infrasound has not been shown to increase annoyance or sleep disturbance above that experienced from audible sound (for example audible wind turbine noise). The study concluded that annoyance increased as audible sound level (decibels) increased. There were also no confirmed links between infrasound and physical responses such as heart rate, metabolic effects (diabetes) and mental health.

These conclusions were further confirmed in October 2023 when the UK Government commissioned a report evaluating the need to revise current noise guidance for wind turbines.[2] The report screened hundreds of studies and reviewed in detail over 130 highly relevant independent scientific publications. It also surveyed 204 UK health and planning departments, 26 government and professional bodies, and one civic group. It concluded that (bold emphasis added):

“It has been demonstrated in controlled experiments, including the involvement of participants self-reporting to be sensitive to wind turbine infrasound, that exposure to infrasound at levels representative of wind turbine immissions* at dwellings is not associated with physiological or psychological health effects, whereas the expectation of effects from being exposed to wind turbine infrasound, and positive or negative messages influencing that expectation, can affect health symptom reporting. Overall, the findings from the existing evidence base indicate that infrasound from wind turbines at typical exposure levels has no direct adverse effects on physical or mental health, and reported symptoms of ill-health are more likely to be psychogenic in origin”.[3]

Notable conclusions from a number of these controlled experiments were that:

“exposure to either real or sham infrasound had no influence on the reporting of health symptoms by participants. However, the expectation of effects connected with the participants' attitudes prior to the experiment did have a significant effect, which supports a nocebo explanation for reported health symptoms associated with wind turbine infrasound”;[4]

“a significant influence of positive or negative media messaging on health symptom reporting has been observed. Other results also highlight that expectancy of negative effects of wind turbine infrasound exposure is associated with symptom reporting, but actual controlled exposure to infrasound is not. The review of evidence on low frequency sound and infrasound noted that emission levels from wind turbines are as low or lower than other common environmental sources such as road traffic”, and;

“Nocebo effects relating to wind turbine infrasound have been demonstrated, and it has also been shown that positive information about wind turbines and explanation of the nocebo effect itself can help to overcome this.”[5]

*’Immissions’ describes the concentration of sound/infrasound in the air in a given location. An ‘emission’ is the act of releasing that sound into the air, in this case from wind turbines and other sources of infrasound.

[1] Health Effects Related to Wind Turbine Sound: An Update - PubMed (nih.gov)

[2] Report for BEIS: A review of noise guidance for onshore wind turbines | WSP

[3] Report for BEIS, p.114

[4] Report for BEIS, p.285

[5] Report for BEIS, p.290

To reduce potential for pollution, appropriate setbacks are maintained from all watercourses on site. Additionally, as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment, private water supplies in the area will be assessed to avoid any possible run-off pollution. Good practice mitigation measures will also be put in place throughout the site construction and operation to ensure there is no run-off into watercourses or the environment.

BisPhenol A (BPA) is an organic chemical compound that is used to make many plastics and everyday products. It has become a widely used material including in the lining of food tins and glass jar lids, food and drinks containers, clothing, dental materials and medical devices, and the inside of pipes used to deliver drinking water, meaning human exposure is common.[1]

However, in high enough quantities, BPA can cause health issues by mimicking oestrogen in the body, meaning it affects hormone system functions, can damage the reproductive system and immune system, and affect cancer progression.[2] In 2023, the EU re-evaluated the data on BPA health impacts and revised the recommended tolerable daily intake (TDI) down to 0.2 nanograms per kg of body weight, 20,000 times lower than the previous TDI.[3]

BPA is a key component of epoxy resin, which is one of the materials used to make wind turbine blades and some turbine blade gelcoats. Some recent publications have sparked debate by suggesting that wind turbines could create relatively high levels of BPA pollution over their lifetimes (see 'The Turbine Group' below).

However, the chemical processes involved in strengthening and hardening the blade structure and epoxy gelcoats means that BPA molecules undergo chemical and structural change in the blade manufacturing process (see 'Manufacturing Turbine Blades' below). The blade is also covered with several layers of different gels and paints, often including a thick coat of gel along the front edge to protect it from erosion, which typically isn’t epoxy based (for more details, see our separate FAQ below). Cured (hardened) epoxy resin can break down when exposed to both water and heat together, which can release a small amount of BPA molecules.[4] However, the blade structure or epoxy-based gelcoats could only be exposed if the paint and protective layer on the blade were significantly eroded, and even if that happened it is unlikely that the Welsh weather and climate would offer the warm, wet conditions to encourage the epoxy to break down.

Operators want to maximise energy generation in order to maximise the return on their investment and so they carry out regular inspections of the blades to check for and repair any erosion to ensure the turbines operate as efficiently as possible, so significant erosion that might expose any remaining BPA molecules or cured epoxy that could break down is very uncommon. As an example, of their more than 3,500 onshore turbine blades SSE Renewables (the largest operator of onshore wind in the UK) only saw 21 instances of any internal epoxy-resin structure being exposed in 2021 – less than 0.6% of blades – and these were repaired very quickly to ensure maximum generation.[5]Even then, it’s unlikely any residual BPA was eroded from the blades given the very small amounts that could be present.

In the unlikely event that any residual, unreacted or broken-down BPA from epoxy resin in turbine blades should escape, it would biodegrade quickly. The half-life of BPA – the amount of time it takes to break down - is around 4.5 days in water and soil, and less than a day in air.[6]

If consented, Waun Maenllwyd Wind Energy Hub will use the most up to date turbine technology, construction and maintenance practices to ensure the appropriate standards are met throughout the project.

Manufacturing Turbine Blades

Wind turbine blades are composite structures typically made of glass-fibre reinforced epoxy resin. For comparison, imagine the rebar metal structures used to provide solidity and shape to concrete when constructing buildings – the glass fibres are like the metal structure, providing strength and shape for the epoxy resin to form around.

BPA molecules include a phenol ring, or hexagon shape, which gives the molecule a strong structure. To make epoxy resin, BPA molecules are chemically bonded together in a reaction called polymerisation to create new, longer molecules which hold their structure very well.[7]

During wind turbine blade manufacture, this liquid epoxy resin is mixed with a hardening agent and then applied to the glass fibre structure of the blade. The epoxy resin undergoes another chemical reaction with the hardening agent, chemically linking the epoxy polymers together to turn the resin from a liquid to solid and bind the glass fibre into the blade shape. If an epoxy resin gelcoat is also used, the same reaction will occur in the hardening process.[8]

In modern turbines, once the blade is formed an additional barrier called Leading Edge Protection (or LEP, which is typically made of polyurethane – see our separate FAQ here) is often applied to the front edge of the turbine blade. The impact of rain on the front edge of the blade as it rotates can make its surface less smooth, which creates drag, making it less aerodynamic and reducing the energy it can generate. The LEP layer is designed to absorb rain impacts, preventing erosion and keeping the surface smooth.

Finally, the entire surface of the blade is covered with additional gel coats and paints (for more details see our separate FAQ below) to protect it from UV degradation and also help make it more aerodynamic, further increasing energy generation.

The structural changes the BPA goes through during the chemical reactions in polymerisation and hardening means there are negligible amounts of residual BPA compound in turbine blades that could be emitted. In the unlikely event that a turbine blade were eroded enough to expose epoxy resin in either a gelcoat or the blade structure itself, it is very unlikely that the Welsh weather would be warm and wet enough to encourage it to break down, and it would be quickly repaired by the windfarm operator.

The Turbine Group

In 2021, a paper published by researchers at Strathclyde University[9] was used by a small Norwegian group calling themselves The Turbine Group (TTG) to create a document, which has since been widely circulated on the internet, suggesting that turbine blades could shed significant amounts of BisPhenol A over their lifetimes. The original Strathclyde study sought to analyse the impact of rain on a small sample of material that is often found within the internal structure of a wind turbine blade, and was carried out under conditions that reflected the rain impacts the leading edge of the tip of a wind turbine blade may experience.

TTG incorrectly applied the results of the Strathclyde study along the whole length of a turbine blade to reach inflated figures for estimated BPA emissions from turbine blades. It also overestimates given that the Strathclyde study samples had no paint topcoat or LEP, and by assuming that turbines would be operating at maximum speed during all rainfall. The Strathclyde researchers have confirmed that they 'cannot endorse the predictions’ of the TTG document and that the TTG ‘calculations need to be refined downwards quite significantly.’[10] No subsequent research has corroborated the results in TTG’s document.

[1] Human exposure to Bisphenol A in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)

[2] Human exposure to Bisphenol A in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu), Potential Mechanisms of Bisphenol A (BPA) Contributing to Human Disease - PMC (nih.gov), Update on the Health Effects of Bisphenol A: Overwhelming Evidence of Harm - PMC (nih.gov)

[3] Human exposure to Bisphenol A in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)

[4] How are the BPA plastic products affecting our health? | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

[5] Turbine Blade Deterioration (vikingenergy.co.uk)

[6] A Multimedia Assessment of the Environmental Fate of Bisphenol A: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal: Vol 8, No 5 (tandfonline.com)

[7] Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry - Epoxy; epoxy resin (ucla.edu), (PDF) Characterization of epoxy composites reinforced with CaCO3-Al2O3-MgO-TiO2/CuO filler materials (researchgate.net)

[8] Synthesis and application of epoxy resins: A review - ScienceDirect - CHECK

[9] Rain Erosion Maps for Wind Turbines Based on Geographical Locations: A Case Study in Ireland and Britain (wind-watch.org)

[10] ACP_MicroplasticsFactSheet_March-2023.pdf (cleanpower.org)

Turbine blades have a range of different gelcoats and paints applied, to protect them from UV, rain and dust/dirt erosion and make them as aerodynamic as possible. Some of these gelcoats and paints are made from organic compounds which may be harmful if exposed in high enough quantities, but these are chemically and structurally altered during the hardening and curing processes so that negligible residual amounts ever remain in the final turbine blades.

There are two main types of protection for turbine blades[1]:

1. A hard gelcoat can be applied as part of the blade manufacturing process. Turbine blades are made by applying an epoxy-based resin to glass fibre composites using a mould to create the blade shape (see our BPA FAQ here). Before this process begins, the moulds are lined with an epoxy, polyester or polyurethane-based liquid gelcoat, like lining a cake tin before baking. This gelcoat chemically bonds with the epoxy resin in the blade structure as it dries to create a hard, strong outer coating. A secondary epoxy-based gelcoat can also be applied once the blade is out of the mould.[2]
2. Flexible coatings, paints or tapes can be applied manually as Leading Edge Protection once the blade has been constructed. These coatings are often made using an organic polymer called polyurethane, which is a type of non-harmful plastic polymer with sponge-like qualities, used in many household items. [3] Many final layer paints are also made using polyurethane.

The likelihood of either of these types of coatings releasing any harmful substances into the atmosphere or environment is very small.

A key component of epoxy resin is BisPhenol A (BPA). BPA is used to make many plastics and everyday products so human exposure is common,[4] however in high enough quantities, BPA can cause health issues by mimicking oestrogen in the body, meaning it affects hormone system functions, can damage the reproductive system and immune system, and affect cancer progression.[5] In turbine blades, the chemical processes involved in strengthening and hardening the blade structure and epoxy gelcoats means that BPA molecules undergo chemical and structural change in the blade manufacturing process (see our BPA FAQ above), so there are very few unreacted BPA molecules remaining.

Cured (hardened) epoxy resin can break down when exposed to both water and heat together, which can release a small amount of BPA molecules.[6] However, the blade structure or epoxy-based gelcoats could only be exposed if the paint and protective layer on the blade were significantly eroded, and even if that happened it is unlikely that the Welsh weather and climate would offer the warm, wet conditions to encourage the epoxy to break down. In the unlikely event that any residual, unreacted or broken-down BPA from epoxy resin in turbine blades should escape, it would biodegrade quickly. The half-life of BPA – the amount of time it takes to break down - is around 4.5 days in water and soil, and less than a day in air.[7]

Polyurethane is made in a chemical reaction between two molecules called a polyol and an isocyanate.[8] The isocyanate can be hazardous if not handled correctly, and the paint fumes can contain unreacted isocyanates, which is why blade manufacturers wear protective clothing and masks when applying the paints. However, once the paint has been applied and cured, the resulting polyurethane is chemically stable and doesn’t release any toxic substances.[9]

Different variations of isocyanate and polyol compounds create different types of polyurethane, which are used in many industries and household objects such as car seats, mattresses, memory foam, cushions and sofas, washing up sponges, expanding foam and insulation and some adhesives and sealants.[10] The latest research on improving leading edge protection substances is mostly focused on subtly changing the characteristics of the polyurethane used, to improve its protective qualities.[11]

While most turbine blade coatings are now made with polyurethane or epoxy as described above, some paints still contain fluoropolymers which are a type of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)[12]. PFAS are a very broad group of around 4700 chemical substances, all of which contain a form of Carbon-Fluorine bond.[13] This bond is incredibly strong, so PFAS repel water, oil, heat and other substances, making them very useful for applications like paints, outdoor clothing, shower curtains, furniture, shoes and fire-fighting foam.[14] However, some PFAS chemicals can be toxic, and because the C-F bond is so strong, they all last a very long time in the environment. As a subset of PFAS, fluoropolymers are not toxic and are classified as a chemical of low concern according to European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC)[15] and following OECD guidelines.[16] They are not widely used in wind turbine blade coatings and are being phased out.[17]

[1] Dashtkar, A. et al., (2019): Rain erosion-resistant coatings for wind turbine blades: A review. Polymers and Polymer Composites  27:8, 443-475; Storm, K (2013): Surface protection and coatings for wind turbine rotor blades. Advances in Wind Turbine Blade Design and Materials, p387-412. Woodhead Publishing

[2] Herring, R., Dyer, K., Martin, F., Ward, C: The increasing importance of leading edge erosion and a review of existing protection solutions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 115, 2019, 109382, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109382.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Human exposure to Bisphenol A in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)

[5] Human exposure to Bisphenol A in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu), Potential Mechanisms of Bisphenol A (BPA) Contributing to Human Disease - PMC (nih.gov), Update on the Health Effects of Bisphenol A: Overwhelming Evidence of Harm - PMC (nih.gov)

[6] How are the BPA plastic products affecting our health? | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

[7] A Multimedia Assessment of the Environmental Fate of Bisphenol A: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal: Vol 8, No 5 (tandfonline.com)

[8] Polyurethane: Properties, Processing, and Applications - Matmatch

[9] Polyurethanes & Diisocyanates - Chemical Safety Facts

[10] Polyurethane: Properties, Processing, and Applications - Matmatch;

[11] Mishnaevsky, L. et al (2023): Recent developments in the protection of wind turbine blades against leading edge erosion: Materials solutions and predictive modelling. Renewable Energy, Volume 215, 118966.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.118966; see also Dashtkar et al., (2022): Graphene/sol–gel modified polyurethane coating for wind turbine blade leading edge protection: Properties and performance

[12] *Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Alternatives in Coatings, Paints and Varnishes (CPVs) (oecd.org) p18

[13] OECD (2021), Draft 22 Feb 2021 - Reconciling Terminology of the Universe of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: Recommendations and Practical Guidance.

[14] PFAS, the “forever chemicals,” explained by a chemist - Vox

[15] European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals, The ECETOC Conceptual Framework for Polymer Risk Assessment (CF4Polymers), 2019; Lohmann, R. et al. (2020): Are Fluoropolymers Really of Low Concern for Human and Environmental Health and Separate from Other PFAS? Environmental Science & Technology 2020 54 (20), 12820-12828 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c03244

[16] Korzeniowski, S.H., et al. (2022), A critical review of the application of polymer of low concern regulatory criteria to fluoropolymers II: Fluoroplastics and fluoroelastomers. Integr Environ Assess Manag. https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4646;  Henry et al. (2018), A critical review of the application of polymer of low concern and regulatory criteria to fluoropolymers, Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC), Volume 14, Number 3, pp. 316-334. Retrieved on: https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ieam.4035.

[17]  20231004-Joint-statement-on-importance-of-fluoropolymers.pdf (windeurope.org)

Any wind turbines taller than 150m tip height require visible aviation lighting and this includes Waun Maenllwyd Wind Energy Hub. The effect of aviation lighting will be carefully considered as part of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment in the overall Environmental Impact Assessment, which will create images of the project at nighttime from key areas as agreed with National Resources Wales and the local council so that the impact can be fully considered when determining the planning application.

There are three Dark Sky Discovery Sites within 15km of the project, but none are expected to have visibility of the turbines due to topographical screening.

The lights themselves will be red, stationary on top of the turbine hub, and shielded to minimise visibility to the sides and below.