January 2025
Mynydd Maen Wind Farms Action Group | Grwp Gweithredu Ffermydd Gwynt Mynydd Maen
We are a small group of volunteers, based in the valleys north of Newport, Gwent. Although we are supportive of the need to generate renewable energy, we are opposed to the scale and number of wind and solar facilities proposed for our local area. We feel the multiple plans in our area represent a threat, not only to the ecology and natural beauty of our area, but also to the safety of our communities’ homes and lives.
Over recent years, restoration work on our upland peat moors was carried out by NRW and Torfaen County Borough Council. It was recognised then that peat restoration will have multiple benefits. As well as preserving CO2 storage in the peat, the work would and protect our local populations of rare species of animals and birds, and our beautiful wild moorlands. From a safety perspective, peat renovation will also protect the communities in the valleys below the mountain from flooding. This is because peat soaks up water from rain storms and slows down the flow. NRW tell us that rainstorms are predicted to worsen over coming years. This means our peat uplands will become even more important in future, given that serious flooding is already occurring in our valley communities.
If Welsh Government approves the multiple proposed energy parks, large areas of permeable (absorbent) surfaces will be replaced. These new surfaces would be impermeable (hard) surfaces, such as roads, cable trenches and foundations for turbines and buildings. There is no plan to decommission the below-ground concrete structures in future, when the turbines are decommissioned, so the protection from our our peat uplands will be destroyed forever..
The result will be to make the volumes and speed of water running off our mountains many times worse. Given the fragile mining geology of the South Wales coalfields, we fear for the safety of our communities when coal-tips, such as Cwmtillery, have already slipped onto communities, as a result of severe rain. These new energy developments will cause us to lose forever the natural flood defences of our peat uplands, which are vitally important in keeping us safe from flooding and coal tip movement.
At present, three interlinked windfarms, totalling 21 huge turbines and a large solar farm are proposed, just for one single mountain, Mynydd Maen, which stands between Cwmbran, Pontypool, Risca and Newbridge. On the next hillside, Mynydd Llanhilleth, is a proposal for a further eight turbines, standing at 180 metres. Sandwiched in between is the little community of Pantygasseg, who will be completely surrounded by these views:
As a result of our concerns, we are asking Welsh Government to consider methods of generating renewable energy that will avoid:
- destroying peat moorland ecosystems
- increasing risks from mining coal tips and levels, and
- increasing flood risks in the valleys below.
We have booked a stall at Y Farchnad, an event at the Senedd in Cardiff, on 21st January 2025, where we hope to have the opportunity to speak to Senedd members about our concerns. We have been kindly sponsored by Peredur Owen Griffiths, of Plaid Cymru
We have a fund-raiser here, which we are using to pay a consultant to help us fight to protect Mynydd Maen and the surrounding communities: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/5va45u-save-mynydd-maen
Our website address is here: https://www.mynydd-maen.co.uk/
And Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mynyddmaen
Main contacts for the group are:
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