Jones Bros on track with 17-turbine wind farm22nd Jul 2016
Leading civil engineering firm Jones Bros is pleased with ongoing progress on a major wind farm in Mid Wales, which has been in construction since January 2016.
The company was appointed as the main civils contractor for the 17-turbine Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm, between Felindre and Llanbadarn Fynydd in Powys by British renewable energy developer Renewable Energy Systems (RES).
With an installed capacity of 30.6MW, the wind farm has been designed to have low impact on the surrounding communities and environment, high electricity production and long-term community benefits.
When fully operational, Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm will be capable of providing sufficient renewable electricity to meet the average needs of more than 26,000 homes – equivalent to nearly 40pc of all the homes in Powys.
Geraint Thomas, regional manager for Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, said: “Jones Bros’ involvement in the construction of Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm is our first large contract with RES. We initially started work in January on a £2m enabling works package that involved the building of a 3.5 km of track up to the wind farm site.
“We worked on this section up until Easter, through severe weather including wind, heavy rain and snow to ensure we ran to schedule. We then began to lay a further 3.5 km of track within the main wind farm site leading to the first turbine location.
“By working collaboratively, the team has successfully implemented various innovative ways to make up lost time. Helping to build this Welsh renewable energy project in our own back yard is both exciting and welcome and we look forward to completing the project on schedule and to the highest quality.”
The Ruthin-based family firm has also erected its own concrete batching plant at Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm. The plant enables concrete to be mixed on site rather than transported to the location, reducing traffic and enabling precision in the concrete mixing process.
The development has provided a boost to the local supply chain in the area with RES estimating that a scheme like Garreg Lwyd Hill could inject more than £4.5m into the local economy during development, construction and the first year of project operation.
Jones Bros is expected to be on site until next March, with the turbines starting to generate electricity in spring, 2017.
Rob Kemeys, RES’ project manager, said: “RES is delighted to be working with Jones Brothers on the construction of RES’ Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm and the associated highway improvements along the turbine delivery route.
“Together we have used our considerable experience of constructing onshore wind projects to ensure that Garreg Lwyd Hill Wind Farm is built to the highest possible standards and with minimum disruption to local people.
“Since the project was consented in May 2015, RES has worked closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that our traffic management and construction management procedures will protect the safety of local people and our workforce.
“As we lead up to the turbine delivery phase which is due to begin in September, RES will be continuing our efforts to keep the surrounding communities and elected representatives fully informed of our construction programme as it progresses. Further information will be distributed in the coming months via direct mail and our project website; however we encourage people to get in touch with the team at any time should they have any further questions.”
Founded in the 1950s, Jones Bros employs 350 people. It operates across the UK in sectors including construction of waste management facilities, highways and renewable energy projects such as wind farms.