RWE’s largest UK onshore wind farm is officially opened

RWE’s Clocaenog Forest onshore wind farm in North Wales has been officially opened.

Representing an investment of £118m in new clean energy infrastructure in Wales, the site consists of 27 turbines which have the capacity to power 63,800 homes.

The principal contractor was Jones Brothers Civil Engineering UK, which is headquartered less than 10 miles from the site. This local contract was worth £20m and provided work for 60 employees together with 14 apprentices and trainee engineers.

Although the wind farm has been in operation for over a year, Covid restrictions have prevented RWE from celebrating the achievement.

The site was officially opened by Julie James MS, Welsh government minister for climate change. 

Tom Glover, RWE’s UK country chair said: “Celebrating the opening of an onshore wind farm of this scale is truly inspiring. RWE is the largest renewable generator in Wales with a long and proud history of pioneering wind power in the country.  

“Having invested well over £3bn in Welsh energy projects over the last decade, we are committed to further green growth and to being a key partner in delivering Welsh government aims of meeting the country’s electricity needs with renewable energy by 2035. 

“Clocaenog will make a significant contribution to this aspiration, while also establishing a positive and enduring legacy for the local community."

The 27 turbines at Clocaenog Forest wind farm add to RWE’s UK portfolio of more than 4,800 MW of renewable generation capacity in offshore wind, onshore wind, biomass and hydro. 

The UK plays a key role in RWE’s strategy to grow its renewables business and to become carbon neutral by 2040.