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28.
July
2017.
YnNi Teg to Generate Electricity early August, Carmarthenshire

News Release 28/07/17
YnNi Teg to Generate Electricity early August

A new wind turbine will soon be generating green kWhs in Carmarthenshire, enough to power 650 homes. Community Energy Wales (CEW) are setting up a new Community Benefit Society, called YnNi Teg Cyf (Fair Energy Ltd). YnNi Teg will own and operate the turbine.

CEW have been working hard, for the last 6 months, in an attempt to save the wind turbine project that looked likely to be affected by the Westminster Government's cuts to the Feed in Tariff (FIT).This FIT support has been essential to give renewable energy a boost.

The turbine situated in West Carmarthenshire, was due to be built last year by a commercial developer. Changes by the Government's meant that the turbine couldn't be completed in time to claim the FIT. However, Community schemes were allowed an extra six months to benefit from the FIT.

CEW took over the project with the ambition that the turbine was built and exporting electricity into the National Grid before 7th August 2017. Following a demanding few months of complex legal, financial and commercial negotiations, construction began in May. The turbine is on schedule to generate electricity before the FIT deadline in August.

Jeremy Thorp, CEW says:
 "We are extremely grateful for the considerable assistance during this period from the Welsh Government (viaFinance Wales) for providing construction bridging loans, the turbine supplier, EWT, for flexibility and assistance and help from the Energy Saving Trust for additional financial support." 

The turbine is a 900kW EWT machine, and will be located near Meidrim, a small community 8 miles (13 km) west of Carmarthen. The electricity generation is anticipated to be around 2100 MWh per year, enough to power 650 homes.

Following commissioning, YnNi Teg will provide opportunities for people to become part-owners of the project. By investing in shares YnNi Teg hope to offer a return of about 5%.The money raised from the sale of shares will be used to refinance the loans from Finance Wales and from EWT.

It is hoped that the £1.8M will be raised in shares, and part of the income will be used to create a local community fund near the turbine site. CEW will continue to support community energy groups throughout Wales into the future.


[image]

The blades being installed on the generator

 

Contact: Wyn Roberts on wyn@aqua-marketing.co.uk
 
Aqua Marketing Ltd, 07968 989621

Contact: Jeremy Thorp on Jeremy@sharenergy.coop
 
Community Energy Wales