Successful trip reduces residents fears

The purpose of the trip on Saturday, July 18 was for Cardigan residents to get a greater understanding for how the turbine planned for Oernant would effect them in terms of sound and visual impact.

The turbine at Rhydgoch is 500kw and 77m to tip so it's equivalent in power but 10m taller than the one Awel Deg/Cardigan Fair Wind hope to obtain planning permission for at Oernant.

The Rhydgoch turbine was installed seven months ago, during which time it has generated 1.1million kWh of electricity. This means that in one year it will generate enough electricity for over 400 homes.

Those who came on the trip were very surprised by the quietness of the turbine.

Anwen Griffiths, whose home will be around 500m from planned Oernant turbine, said: “A very informative trip. Interesting to stand close to the turbine and listen to the noise level. It was quieter than I expected.It was also helpful to talk to the farmer about what it's like living close to the turbine.

Awel Deg did express sadness, saying that some of the residents from Caemorgan Road declined to attend the trip and so failed to take the opportunity to become better informed of the real impacts and benefits of the sort of community owned turbine Awel Deg/Cardigan Fair Wind is proposing to develop.

Cllr. Clive Davies, of Cardigan Town Council, said: “This was a good exercise to get the facts about an actual turbine in terms of its size, noise and impact on the landscape. Also useful to speak to those living nearby, and the landowner.”

More information can be found at our website, http://aweldeg.co.uk/. To have your say on the Oernant Wind Project you can go to http://vocaleyes.org/vocaleyes/topic/view/id/10857/grp/10495

A display of the plans and the full environmental report for the Oernant turbine will be available for inspection at Cardigan Library from Wednesday, September 2.