Eversheds has advised energy company RWE Innogy UK Limited, in obtaining consent for the construction and operation of Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm in North Wales.

The wind farm will consist of up to 32 turbines connected to an onsite substation, and will have the capacity to generate up to 96 megawatts of electrical output. The size of the project means that it was classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (“NSIP”), which required a ‘development consent order’ under procedures governed by the Planning Act 2008.

The Examining Authority and Secretary of State concluded that due to the contribution the wind farm will make to the production of renewable energy, consenting the project would be consistent with national policies on the need for development of new nationally significant electricity generating infrastructure of this type.

This decision means that Eversheds have now successfully advised on the first two NSIPs to be consented in Wales, and the first two onshore wind farms to be consented under the Planning Act 2008. Eversheds continues to actively promote other energy projects applying for consent under the Act.

The team was led by partners Paul Maile and Stephen Collings who advised on all aspects of planning and consenting law.

Paul Maile commented:

“Over the last few years we have helped RWE achieve consents in Wales for over 200MW of installed capacity of onshore wind and look forward to working with them to achieve more in the future. This firmly establishes Eversheds' reputation at the forefront of infrastructure consenting.”

RWE Innogy UK Limited is a UK subsidiary of RWE AG. The Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm is in the County of Denbighshire and the County Borough of Conwy in North Wales.