Pen-y-Cymoedd farm, Wales' largest onshore wind farm has generated electricity for the first time last month and is on target for completion in April 2017. 

The £365m Pen-y-Cymoedd farm is being built between Neath and Aberdare by Swedish developers Vattenfall. The company said the breakthrough was "one of the biggest boosts this decade to delivering Wales' green energy targets".

The 250 megawatt, 76-turbine scheme is set for completion early in 2017. In a joint venture Jones Bros and Balfour Beatty delivered infrastructure for the project, Wales’ largest wind farm and bigger than any English project.

Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government, said: “It’s great news that Wales’ largest onshore wind farm is now generating energy. Supporting the development of more renewable energy projects is a key priority for the Welsh Government and this marks progress towards our goal of reducing our greenhouse emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050.”

Mike Pitcher, programme executive for the Energy Delivery Programme at Natural Resources Wales, said:

“The development at Pen y Cymoedd is an important step for renewable energy in Wales. In addition to giving a boost to the green energy sector, the work to restore extensive areas of peatland habitat and the development of new mountain bike trails shows how it’s possible to generate multiple benefits for people, nature and the economy when delivering renewable energy projects.”

The Welsh Government challenged the Welsh renewable electricity sector to generate 7,000GWh by 2020. Pen y Cymoedd will deliver 11 per cent of that target.

It is expected to produce enough power annually to meet the electricity demand of more than 188,000 UK households and will more than meet the domestic demand of host local authorities Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot. Over the lifetime of the project, it is expected to save 6.4 million tonnes of CO2. See a birds eye view of the project.

Last Thursday night, 24^th November 2016, more than 50 construction professionals gathered at Arup’s offices in Cardiff Bay to hear a fascinating presentation on the Eastern Bay Link project currently under construction. 

The event was co-hosted by CIHT, as part of their evening lecture programme and Constructing Excellence in Wales who used the event to launch their Design Case Study of the project as part of their Exemplar programme. 

Gordon Brown of CEW opened formal proceedings by explaining the purpose of the Exemplar programme and briefly outlining why the EBL project was worthy of Exemplar status. 

Rhys Griffith of Welsh Government then provided a brief introduction and background to the scheme from a client perspective. 

James Evans of WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff (Employer’s Agent) then proceeded to talk in more detail about the history of the scheme, the envisaged programme and the major constraints before elaborating on the Utilities Incentivization clause. He summarized the preliminary design – pre contract award, before handing over to Darren Wright, the Design Project Manager for Capita.

Darren described the approach to the development of the preliminary design to both the link and the two roundabouts, and the challenges associated with the original design solution. 

Gareth Davies of Cass Hayward talked about the development of the “tender” design relating specifically to the proposed composite Viaduct. He then briefly explained the reasons, centred on issues with the existing utilities, for the fundamental design change which resulted in the viaduct being increased from 180m to 660m by introducing two approach structures utilizing pre cast concrete beams. 

He then described in more detail the innovative designs for the two “cross head” structures spanning the railway, before briefly describing the approach structures design. 

John Evans representing the Joint Venture contracting organisation, firstly summarized the tender programme before more fully explaining the major issues encountered in the preliminary design stage in respect of access to land and the utilities. He explained how this led to the fundamental design change to an extended structure, the need for enabling works, a complete re vamping of the programme, and how all this was achieved through collaborative working. 

The remainder of his presentation consisted of a walkthrough of the construction progress made to date, including some exciting video footage. 

John closed by briefly touching on some of the Community Benefits being delivered, how collaboration had been the key to coming thus far, and a brief overview of the programme to completion. 

A question and answer session followed, before Gordon Brown thanked the team for what had been a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable evening.

There’s several ideas and articles to keep up to date with from Value Wales – you can check them all here via these links -

• Views wanted on Code of Practice
• CIPFA Cymru Wales Annual Conference
• Re:fit Cymru: Supply chain event
• About Sell2Wales…
• CIPS Annual and Regional Conferences
• Vacancy: Pembrokeshire County Council – Category Manager (Social Care and People)

The two highlights are firstly the request for your views on the Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains which we aim to launch in early 2017. Once launched, public sector organisations will be encouraged to sign up to its twelve commitments, as will private and third sector organisations in supply chains. The Code is accompanied by four detailed Guides covering modern slavery, blacklisting, unfair employment practices and paying the Living Wage. A copy of the draft Code and its supporting guides  are available by emailing VWPolicy@wales.gsi.gov.uk. We would be very grateful for your feedback on the documents. 

The second highlight is a change to the refresh to the Sell2Wales web site. A refreshed version of the site was launched with some key changes, such as:

• simplifying terminology
• new and improved search functionality
• clean new look to the homepage

The buyer benefits include:

• The opportunity to search the latest procurement news and events
• Free registration and access to the site
• Supplier Finder to source suppliers
• Create and publish Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and low value notices
• Receive quotes for low value requirements by "Quick Quote"
• Manage responses through the sealed "Postbox"
• Transparent tendering process
• Secure environment to manage sourcing process

Sell2wales has projects pages set up for Aston Martin and Swansea Bay tidal lagoon to offer the opportunity for other suppliers to access both direct and sub-contract opportunities. These are worth checking out.

Mixed use development at Dolffin Quay is being reviewed by public consultation. 

A public consultation has been launched on a proposed development called Dolffin Quay on the eastern side of Cardiff Bay. Dolffin Quay is located between the Bay and Roath Basin along Harbour Drive. New waterfront shops and restaurants are planned at the bay side, while 200 houses could be built on the basin side.

Associated British Ports (ABP) is behind the scheme.

Matthew Kennerley, regional director of Associated British Ports in South Wales, said: "Our proposals support the continued regeneration of Cardiff Bay and provide a boost to the local economy.

"We want Cardiff to rival other capital cities across the globe. We’re looking forward to sharing our proposals with the local community and gathering feedback so we have the best possible proposal for this important area of the bay."

A planning application is expected to be submitted to the City of Cardiff Council at the start of 2017.

School building in Wales, much of it driven by the 21^st Century Schools Programme, is having a positive impact and showing the way for the UK. 

A new £5.1m primary school in Maesgeirchen will give children the best possible start in life according to First Minister of Wales. During his visit to the site of the new Ysgol Glancegin which is being built next to the existing school, Carwyn Jones met pupils who have been involved in the plans for the new school which is due to open in September 2017. Mr Jones stated:

“It’s been a pleasure to see this fantastic development which will be of real benefit for the pupils, teachers and parents. It’s good to see the results of investment in our schools on the ground. With the new school right next to the existing school the pupils can keep a close eye on developments, and it was pleasing to see that they have been involved in the design for the school. It’s not only the pupils and teachers who’ll benefit from this new development, but the wider community will too as this is a major construction scheme creating employment and providing opportunities for local suppliers.”

Jointly funded by Gwynedd Council and the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools and Education Programme, the development will ensure the best teaching environment, including an external teaching space. New play areas will also support children’s development across the curriculum.

Meanwwhile, funding for a new £37m school in Neath Port Talbot has been approved by Education Secretary Kirsty Williams. Ysgol Newydd Margam will accommodate 1,455 pupils aged three to 16 and replace Dyffryn Comprehensive and Groes Primary schools on the Dyffryn Upper School site.

Neath Port Talbot council has been given £19m of the total project cost of £37m.

Ms Williams said it would improve accessibility and regenerate the site.

The money has been allocated as part of the Welsh Government's 21st Century Schools Programme, which aims to improve school facilities and resources.