The High Court has quashed the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s refusal of RWE Innogy’s 150MW Carnedd Wen and RES’ 90MW Llanbrynmair wind farms that formed part of the Powys mega-inquiry.
Following a judicial review, DECC has notified the High Court that it accepts the quashing of its 7 September decision to refuse the projects against the advice of the Planning Inspectorate.
The consent application will now return to DECC for re-determination by Energy Secretary Amber Rudd.
An RWE spokesman said: “We hope the Secretary of State will take a fresh look at this project.
“We remain convinced that this is one of the best remaining locations for a wind farm in Wales and that, following the global co-operation and agreement reached at the UN climate conference in Paris, onshore wind still has a significant role to play in reducing energy bills and meeting Welsh low-carbon and green-growth aspirations.”
RES’ head of projects for England and Wales Tim French added: “RES welcomes the news that DECC’s decision to refuse Llanbrynmair has been quashed and DECC will now re-consider this important low carbon energy project, following our request for a judicial review of the decision in October.
“RES now awaits the Secretary of State’s new decision and will continue to keep the local community informed of progress.”
RWE Innogy’s 150MW Carnedd Wen and RES’ 90MW Llanbrynmair sites were among five wind farms considered by DECC as part of the Powys inquiry.
Both sites are located in Strategic Search Areas identified by the Welsh Government as suitable for wind farms but DECC refused the projects on visual impact grounds.
Vattenfall’s 59.5MW Llanbadarn Fynydd and the 62.1MW Llaithddu by Fferm Wynt Llaithddu were refused consent in line with PINS recommendations.
Only the 102MW Llandinam repowering by ScottishPower Renewables was granted permission by DECC, but the department refused SP Manweb’s 132kV application to build and overhead power line from the wind farm to the Welshpool substation.
Image: Amber Rudd (DECC)
High Court quashes Powys refusals
RWE Innogy's Carnedd Wen and RES Llanbrynmair decisions to go back to DECC
By EBS