Update (June 2026): Bute Energy has reached a major milestone since this article was first published, moving from planning into construction on its first project. The developer has secured a £160 million project-finance agreement with Lloyds and Rabobank for Twyn Hywel Energy Park, a 93.8 MW onshore wind development on the Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf border in South Wales, and construction began on site in June 2026. The project — granted consent by Welsh Ministers in November 2024 and awarded a 20-year Contract for Difference at £72.24/MWh in February 2026 — is expected to be operational by the end of 2027.
Twyn Hywel is the first in a pipeline of 12 onshore wind energy parks Bute Energy is developing across Wales, representing a roughly £3 billion investment to unlock more than 2 GW of clean energy over the coming decade. The company says the portfolio could meet around 25% of the Welsh Government’s target for 100% of electricity demand to be covered by renewables by 2035, and contribute 18% of the UK Government’s Clean Power 2030 mission. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and the Welsh Pension Partnership have invested in Bute Energy’s development portfolio. Not every scheme has advanced, however — in February 2026 Bute withdrew its application for the Nant Ceiment Energy Park near Lampeter, citing environmental, land and commercial challenges specific to that site.
Bute Energy’s onshore push is part of a wider surge of renewable energy development across Wales, both on land and offshore. Out in the east Irish Sea, the 1.5 GW Mona Offshore Wind Project is advancing toward construction, underscoring how central Wales is becoming to the UK’s clean energy transition.
Project Factsheet: Twyn Hywel Energy Park
Project: Twyn Hywel Energy Park (Bute Energy’s first project in construction)
Type: Onshore wind energy park
Location: ~2 km north-west of Caerphilly, on the Caerphilly / Rhondda Cynon Taf border, South Wales
Capacity: Up to 93.8 MW
Turbines: 14, with a maximum blade-tip height of 200 m
Homes powered: Approximately 81,000 a year
Consent: Granted by Welsh Ministers, November 2024
Revenue support: 20-year Contract for Difference at £72.24/MWh (UK AR7, February 2026)
Financing: £160 million project-finance agreement
Construction start: First half of 2026
First power / operational: Late 2027
Community benefit: Annual community fund of around £704,000 (worth more than £30 million over the project’s 40-year life)
Jobs: More than 300 supported during construction
Contractors and Companies Involved
- Bute Energy — Developer and owner
- Knights Brown — Civils Balance of Plant contractor: design and construction of access tracks, turbine foundations and associated civil engineering works (targeting ~90% of civil contract spend with Welsh businesses)
- Terra Firma (Wales) Ltd — Cardiff-based contractor appointed to carry out the initial ground investigations on site
- LUC — Lead design and environmental consultant: Environmental Impact Assessment, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, visualisations and GIS
- Lloyds Bank — Lender (project-finance facility)
- Rabobank — Lender (project-finance facility)
- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) — Investor (minority equity stake in Bute Energy and sister firm Green GEN Cymru)
- Welsh Pension Partnership — Investor in Bute Energy’s development portfolio
- Deloitte — Financial adviser to Bute Energy
- Reed Smith — Legal adviser to Bute Energy
- Burges Salmon — Legal adviser to Bute Energy
Originally published 11 November 2023:
Bute Energy has unveiled plans for two significant wind farm projects in Powys, Wales, contributing to the Welsh Government’s goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2035. The 192MW Welsh wind farms projects, Aberedw Energy Park and Bryn Gilwern Energy Park, were announced, triggering a six-week consultation period. Combined, the wind farms are set to feature up to 34 turbines, with maximum heights of 220 meters at Bryn Gilwern and 200 meters at Aberedw.
The proposed locations for these energy parks are near Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells, strategically chosen to harness the wind potential in the region. The consultation period, running until December 20, includes public events in Builth, Penybont, and Llandrindod, aiming to gather community feedback on various aspects, including turbine locations, infrastructure, and access routes.
Also read: Sainsbury completes onshore windfarm in Scotland
James Nicol, Senior Project Manager at Bute Energy, emphasized the projects’ response to the climate emergency, reduction of fossil fuel reliance, and alignment with the Welsh Government’s renewable energy targets. The wind farms are expected to generate a combined capacity of 192MW, supplying clean energy to approximately 175,000 homes.
Furthermore, Bute Energy plans to establish two Community Benefit Funds, anticipating an annual investment of around £1.4 million in local communities. The company is committed to ensuring local involvement in the projects, with contracts awarded during development adhering to a Social Value Standard. This standard aims to create jobs benefiting local communities and directs resources toward the well-being of nearby areas.
The energy parks will connect to the electricity transmission network through the proposed Green GEN Cymru Towy Usk network, contributing to the development of a green energy infrastructure. Bute Energy expects to submit a planning application to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) in 2025, following thorough public consultation and consideration of feedback, along with environmental, technical, and ecological surveys.
The proposed Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern 192MW Welsh wind farms Energy Parks are classified as Developments of National Significance, requiring separate applications to PEDW, which will then make recommendations to Welsh Ministers for planning permission. Bute Energy’s proactive approach to community engagement and renewable energy development underscores its commitment to a sustainable future for Wales.
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