Many people in the construction industry were frustrated by changes in UK Government policy towards our industry at the end of July. Chopping and changing targets and subsidies around renewable energy; new structures for committees and industry bodies, and cancelling the role of Government construction advisor signalled a move away from partnership between politicians and the construction sector.
But what that really means is that we have an even better chance of getting on with the job in hand. We need to prove what is achievable through best practice and deliver a low carbon, sustainable and world-class built environment. And that means building what’s needed. Not necessarily shiny new commercial developments or well-designed private luxury flats – but the more surprising and useful projects, such as the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project – currently under construction by renewable energy developer Vattenfall.
This is exactly what our industry needs to deliver and become best known for. The Pen y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project is going to be the largest onshore wind scheme in England and Wales, with a total of 76 turbines that, when finished and operational in 2017, will generate enough electricity to power 140,000 homes.
Built as a 50:50 joint venture between infrastructure firms Jones Bros and Balfour Beatty, it is located on land managed by Natural Resources Wales within Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot situated between Neath and Aberdare.
It is an excellent example of not just what great construction can deliver, but also what it can provide for local people and the wider industry if the scheme is approached correctly, with one eye on collaborative procurement and the other on long term value. Pen y Cymoedd will provide a Community Fund of £1.8 million per annum for more than 20 years, and more than 3,000 residents of the upper Rhondda, Cynon, Afan and Neath Valleys have had their say on what they think the money could do in the area.
There is huge potential within all the ideas that have come in – developing those potential ideas so they can deliver maximum benefit is the next task for the community.
Meanwhile, looking at the technical side of the project, the civil engineering work will see 50,000m³ of concrete from local suppliers, 6,000 tonnes of reinforcement from Neath supplier, Express Reinforcement, used to construct the 76 turbine bases and crane pads, along with the construction of around 80km of access tracks and cabling. Two-thirds of all plant operatives have been recruited from South Wales within 35 miles of the site, and a number of apprentices have also been employed to learn new skills while working on the project in roles including plant operation and Turbine maintenance.
Right now, having completed concrete base pours at 56 of the wind farm’s 76 turbine bases, Jones Bros and Balfour Beatty are preparing the first trial run to demonstrate that the site copes with the delivery of wind turbines. Fully extended trailers similar to those that will carry the turbines will find out how easy it is to navigate the access roads. As well as gaining support for their local initiatives through the Community Fund, local people are also in touch with the project via public exhibitions and site visits for local schools and community members. Over the last three months around 200 primary school pupils from both Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot have visited the site to find out more about the project and see the construction works with their own eyes.
The first turbine delivery trial run, which will be in the east and central east zones of the project, will take place in September, and will be followed in November by the first turbine deliveries.
Construction does wonderful things. This project is a landmark example of what our industry provides for people and has been approached in a way that educates politicians about what construction in Wales means and delivering on the UK’s low carbon commitments and Investment in Infrastructure vital to the Welsh and UK’s economies.
