Bute Energy And GreenGen Propose A Large Portfolio Of Onshore Wind Farms And Electricity Transmission Lines Across Wales

Press Release
8th October 2024

Bute Energy And GreenGen Propose A Large Portfolio Of Onshore Wind Farms And Electricity Transmission Lines Across Wales

Bute Energy and sister company GreenGen are proposing a large portfolio of onshore wind farms and electricity transmission lines in Wales.

CPRW Chair Jonathan Colchester said:  “The relationship between this private enterprise group controlled by one individual and the Welsh Government is far from transparent.  Welsh Ministers being courted by Bute will be deciding on the huge profits the group stand to make from destroying some of our best-loved countryside”

Jenny Rathbone, Member of the Welsh Senedd for Cardiff Central, who is chairing a  Wales Policy Forum meeting “Next steps for climate change adaptation in Wales and priorities moving forward” on October 10th, declares that her husband is a member of the Bute Energy advisory board but states, in the April 2024 list of Member’s Interests, that  “no application has been submitted to date”.

This is not true.  Bute submitted an application for Twyn Hywel Energy Park on 5/6/23 as shown on the Welsh Developments of National Significance (PEDW) website.  PEDW is due to make a recommendation for approval or refusal of Twyn Hywel in November but the final decision is with the Welsh Government Minister who can disagree with the Welsh Planning Inspector.  Minister Lesley Griffiths did just this on 25/10/2018 when she approved the locally unpopular, and now nationally notorious, Hendy Windfarm.   Hendy turbines have stood idle for years, with no grid connection.  No public body has been willing to enforce the clear planning conditions designed to prevent this.

Bute was originally formed by a merger of Grayling Capital and Njord Energy whose director, Stephen Radford, is now also sole Director of Hendy Wind Farm.  A complex swap around of company identities conveniently distanced the current Bute and its top director from Hendy.

The Bute group also have another 11 proposals, listed on the Welsh Developments of National Significance website, all of which have submitted detailed scoping information and received Welsh Government directions.  Three are next door to Hendy in the historic Radnorshire Hills.

Government connection with Bute is not confined to the Welsh Senned.  Anna McMorrin, MP for Cardiff North,  received a gift of £3,000 from Bute Energy on 29/3/24.

Ends

Notes to Editors

• For further information please contact: Caroline Conway, CPRW on 07731567488 or via email [email protected]
• CPRW was founded in 1928 making it the oldest rural charity in Wales. The charity is passionate about creating a countryside which works for everyone, aims to protect wild spaces for the next generation and to enable a sustainable rural community for all.