Every week CEWales holds seminars, workshops and gives industry stakeholders the chance to network, showcase and talk best practice – but what works best for you – read on and find out? 

Last week CEWales ran two main events – Pen Y Cymoedd Wind Farm project held on the 25th September and then on 28th September we ran the first in a series of sessions educating Welsh construction professionals about regulations around Sprinkler Systems. We are holding another event today in Carmarthen and a further one in Llandudno on the 11th November and we also hope to run a further two sprinkler events in Cardiff in November. To register your interest email CEWales (dates to be confirmed)  

Our first event looked at the story behind the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project. It is the the biggest wind farm development in Wales and is being completed by Jones Bros and Balfour Beatty. Once operational the project will provide a Community Fund of £1.8 million per annum for more than 20 years. This is exactly what our industry needs to deliver and become best known for. Pen y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project is going to be the largest onshore wind scheme with a total of 76 turbines that when it is finished and operational by 2017 will generate enough electricity to power 140,000 homes. Built as a 50:50 joint venture with Balfour Beatty and Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK it is located on land managed by Natural Resources Wales within Rhondda Cynon Taf and Neath Port Talbot situated between Neath and Aberdare in South Wales. 

The workshop on sprinklers advised delegates on how to meet the new regulations from 1st January 2016, when it will be a legal requirement in Wales for all new residential properties to have sprinkler systems installed (it is already a requirement for ‘high risk’ properties such as care homes). There is little detailed technical awareness in the industry of what this means in terms of design and implementation for developers, designers and consultants both during design and the delivery of the homes on site. This training seminar and one more in November  recognises the need to the construction industry in Wales to be better equipped to address the imminent legal requirement for sprinklers in all new residential properties. A ‘summary sheet’ will be available to highlight the core issues and steps that developers and design teams need to be aware of. 

Feedback for both events was excellent and it was good to hear that we are providing valuable information and meeting the needs of our stakeholders.