Medical products and technologies company Convatec has proposed creating a wind and solar powered renewable energy hub to power its South Wales manufacturing operation.
The project is being developed in partnership with local farmers and would be situated adjacent to Convatec’s manufacturing site in Rhymney, South Wales. The project will feature three wind turbines and around 10 hectares of solar panels, providing a generating capacity of about 20MW.
As well as generating enough clean energy to meet the requirements of the Rhymney facility, the project, known as Convatec Green Manufacturing Hub, will also provide enough energy to power its Deeside operation.
Convatec also anticipates a surplus of energy being produced by the project and will commit to working with the community to identify local energy supply options for other businesses and community organisations.
Since the project is expected to have an installed capacity of greater than 10MW, it will be considered a Development of National Significance (DNS) by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), with the final decision being made by Welsh Ministers.
Convatec have organised two early engagement community events in Rhymney for the public to learn more about their emerging proposals. These will take place on Wednesday 28 June between 4-8pm at St David’s Community Centre and Thursday 29 June between 10am-2pm at Ael-y-Bryn Sports & Community Centre.
Commenting on the proposals, Marion Davies, Rhymney Plant Director, said: “Transitioning our operations to clean, green locally produced energy will make us more resilient, ensuring we can continue to produce world leading products here in Rhymney, that positively touch the lives of people with chronic illness on a daily basis, over the long-term.
“We are dedicated to supporting our local community and look forward to engaging with neighbours, stakeholders and local businesses to help shape the plans and identify opportunities for collaboration and positive community focused outcomes.”