Global law firm Eversheds has advised energy company RWE Npower Renewables on the Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm, the first project of this kind to receive consent from the UK Government as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

The 28 turbine wind farm will have capacity to generate up to 84 megawatts to power 39,700 homes*. The size of the output means that the project is classified as a NSIP, large scale developments which require a type of consent known as 'development consent' under procedures governed by the Planning Act 2008 (and amended by the Localism Act 2011). During the construction, the project is also expected to deliver £19m and more than 200 jobs to South and West Wales per annum.

The Eversheds team was led by partners Paul Maile and Stephen Collings and advised RWE on planning and consenting law.

Paul commented:

“As one of the UK’s largest wind farms, this is a significant project for both RWE and Wales. The scale of the expected outputs will have a major impact in Wales. The consent that has been received is an important milestone on the path to renewable power generation in the UK.”

Bethan Edwards, Principal Renewables Developer at RWE, said:

“This is a massive achievement and a big first- both the first onshore wind farm to be consented via the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project consenting route and the first project of any type in Wales to be consented in this way. Eversheds have been our trusted advisers along the way and have ensured a smooth process at every stage.”

http://press.eversheds.com/Press-releases/Eversheds-powers-significant-…