DECC announced in 2012 that a public inquiry would be held into applications for five onshore wind farms in Powys, Wales, which were submitted under the Electricity Act 1989, following objections from Powys County Council. Energy minister Andrea Leadsom this week refused planning permission for four.
Two of the projects, adding up to 122MW, had already been recommended for rejection by the Planning Inspectorate. But Decc went further, overruling the Inspectorate's advice to also refuse permission to RWE Innogy's 150MW Carnedd Wen project, and RES's 90MW Llanbrynmair wind farm.
Only the 102MW Llandinam repowering project, which is being developed by ScottishPower Renewables and Eurus, was granted permission to proceed. Leadsom approved energy firm CeltPower’s application to decommission the existing Penrhyddlan & Llidiartywaun wind farm and build a new one comprising 42 turbines, known as Llandinam Repowering, agreeing with the inspector that permission should be granted, "given the contribution it will make to the production of renewable energy".
Decc, however, also rejected permission for a 132kV overhead power line from Llandinam to Welshpool, throwing doubt on the repowering project, too.
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