Moel Maelogan

Moel Maelogen

The first 3 turbines at Moel Maelogan
Location of Moel Maelogen in Wales
Country Wales, United Kingdom
Coordinates 53°08′08″N 03°43′00″W / 53.13556°N 3.71667°WCoordinates: 53°08′08″N 03°43′00″W / 53.13556°N 3.71667°W
Status Operational
Commission date January 2003
Owner(s) Co WP Mombkg UK branch
Operator(s) GT O+M
Power generation
Units operational 3 x 1.3 MW
Make and model Bonus V47
Nameplate capacity 3.9 MW

Moel Maelogan (shown on O.S. maps as 'Maelogen', and also sometimes spelled 'Moelogan') is a hill (summit height 424m) on the western edge of Mynydd Hiraethog (also known as the Denbigh Moors) in north Wales, and overlooking the Conwy Valley. It is known mostly as the general location of a wind farm.

The initial 3 turbines were erected in 2002, and started generating in January 2003, each turbine capable of producing 1300 kW. This scheme marked erection of the UK Wind Industry's 1000th turbine[1] and was initially welcomed, as it had been set up by 3 local farmers to boost their incomes, under the company name of Cwmni Gwynt Teg ("Fair Wind"). After commissioning, however, it was not without its opponents, not least because, although not located in the Snowdonia National Park itself, the turbines are visible from many parts of it.

Of the 3 turbines, 2 were owned and operated by the local farming co-operative, the third was owned and operated by Energiekontor. Energiekontor UK Ltd,[2] the UK subsidiary of the German wind development company Energiekontor AG, was instrumental in the finance and construction of the wind farm.

The electricity produced goes to the local Llanrwst sub-station 4.5 km away, and is sold to the Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency.

Under the project name of "Ail Wynt" (Second Wind), Cwmni Gwynt Teg planned a further 11 turbines[3] but this was rejected. Despite further opposition[4] an amended plan for an additional 9 turbines was passed, and erection and commission of these took place in 2008 "within a more compact area and at reduced height."[5]

Cwmni Gwynt Teg won an Ashden Award in 2003 for their work on the wind farm.[6]

The 12 wind turbines on Moel Maelogan, as seen from Llanrhychwyn

See also

References

  1. http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0199-2762007_ITM
  2. "Energiekontor UK Ltd: Wind Farm Developer: Leeds, Yorkshire". Energiekontor.co.uk. 1999-08-24. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  3. John Vidal. "John Vidal on the war against wind farms | Environment". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-10-15.
  4. http://www.ailwynt.co.uk/facts.html
  5. Cwmni Gwynt Teg wins Ashden Award

External links