Proposals for a major renewable energy park in Mid Wales have been unveiled, featuring wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage.

However, concerns are already being raised about the scale of such developments across Brecon and Radnorshire.

Parc Ynni Banc y Celyn, located approximately 5km south of Builth Wells near Upper Chapel, Gwenddwr, Crickadarn, and Erwood, is a joint venture between Wind2 and companies managed by Octopus Energy Generation.

The proposal includes up to 27 wind turbines reaching heights of 200m, a 30MW solar farm, and up to 50MW of battery storage, covering an area of approximately 1,211 hectares. The total generation capacity would be around 165MW

According to the developers, Parc Ynni Banc y Celyn is expected to generate approximately 700,000 MWh of electricity annually, which would be enough to power over 215,000 households.

The project is still in its early stages, but it follows a series of similar energy park proposals in the region at various stages, most notably from Bute Energy. These include Bryn Gilwern Energy Park (up to 16 turbines, 3km east of Llandrindod Wells), Nant Mithil Energy Park (up to 31 turbines, 9km east of Llandrindod Wells in Radnor Forest), and Aberedw Energy Park (up to 18 turbines, 3km east of Builth Wells).

The Nant Mithil project also includes separate Green GEN Cymru plans for a controversial 60-mile pylon route to between the proposed park and a new substation near Llandyfaelog, in Carmarthenshire.

James Evans, MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, has strongly opposed the growing number of large-scale renewable projects in the region, arguing that they could have severe consequences for the local landscape, tourism, ecology, and economy.

Following his attendance at a public exhibition meeting on the Parc Ynni Banc y Celyn proposals, Mr Evans described the cumulative effect of these projects as an "industrialisation of Mid Wales".

“These proposals, on top of Bute Energy’s sites at Aberedw, Nant Mithil, and Bryn Gilwern, will overwhelm our area and have a hugely detrimental impact,” he said.

Mr Evans also raised concerns over the pylon infrastructure needed to transport energy out of Mid Wales, echoing opposition voiced by communities along the proposed route.

He urged residents to make their voices heard through consultations, pointing to a recent rejection of a similar proposal in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney due to “unacceptable adverse impact.”

“I am not against small scale renewable energy projects, but the vast scale of these proposals in this area is overwhelming - the detrimental impact on this area will be huge,” said Mr Evans.

The developers say will be providing a “dedicated community benefit fund” of at least £5,000 per megawatt installed capacity to give back to the community.

Local communities and stakeholders are invited to give their feedback on the Parc Ynni Banc y Celyn proposal.

The deadline for responses for the Parc Ynni Banc y Celyn consultation is Friday, April 18, 2025.

Feedback can be submitted and more information can be found at: parcynnibancycelyn.cymru/en