The Ail Wynt co-operative fully appreciates the concerns about the visual impact of the development. At the heart of the co-operative is the overriding desire to protect the natural beauty of the Welsh landscape for future generations. Therefore every care has been taken to site the turbines in positions which have minimal impact in terms of visual appearance. The majority of the new turbines will be situated on lower ground in a natural hollow, which makes the development difficult to see from many local areas.

Many people actually see wind turbines as graceful and even therapeutic forms of art in the landscape. We appreciate that this view is not held by everyone, but they are certainly more elegant than a traditional power station belching out clouds of smoke.

There is also the argument that windmills have been a part of the Welsh landscape for many hundreds of years, and that wind farms are just the latest incarnations of this genre.

Is the site in an environmentally sensitive location?

The area is not in the Snowdonia National Park, it is not an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or any other designated area such as a National Nature Reserve or a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The site is in a Landscape Conservation Area, and this has been taken into account during planning and development.

The project has no adverse effect on natural habitats or archaeological sites. Also, because the turbines require minimal maintenance, there will be no significant traffic increase in the area.

Are offshore wind farm developments a better option?

It is commonly accepted that it is cheaper to generate renewable energy from on-shore sites. However the co-operative supports the development of offshore wind farms, as these are another important element of the overall renewable strategy for Wales. Offshore wind farms will be clearly visible from populated, tourist based coastal areas as we are witnessing off the North Wales Coast, but they obviously don’t have the same visual impact within the rural landscape. However they do not have any of the advantages of the Ail Wynt scheme such as access for maintenance and financial benefits to the local community through local ownership - all the elements that have made this project an Award Winner.

Do wind turbines produce excessive noise?

No, there are stringent noise limits that must be adhered to. Apart from the farmhouse there is only one other property that is within one kilometre of the site, and tests have shown that noise levels are comfortably within the recommended limits. Monitoring of noise is however undertaken on a regular basis.

Do wind turbines affect local property prices?

Although claims have been made that property prices may be reduced near wind farms, surveys have shown that there is no overriding evidence to support this claim. Indeed the only comprehensive survey commissioned in America, based on 25,000 homes within a 5 mile radius of various windfarms, showed no change in values other than a small increase by an independent authority.

Is this an acceptable location for wind generation?

The environmental assessment process has shown that the proposal will not cause harm to planning interests, and the scheme’s contribution to national and Welsh objectives for generating more power from renewable sources far outweighs the limited visual impact of the development on the local landscape.

Is the ownership of the new turbines being retained by the local co-operative?

Yes, Ail Wynt will own 100% of the new turbines.

What has been the electricity production since the project started?

Production from Cwmni Gwynt Teg commenced on the 15th of January 2003. Total production from both machines, up to the 14th of June 2003, was 3.6 million Kw/h and this period included a one month running-in period, when the machines were only allowed to operate at up to 70% power, and it also excludes most of the windy season - autumn and much of the winter.

Even so, the turbines have still generated pollution-free energy at a capacity factor of 43.5%, which is very encouraging. To put this figure into context, the average capacity factor for on-shore wind turbines in Britain, for a full year, is 30%. This clearly demonstrates Moel Moelogan’s suitability as an ideal location. All of the production is sold on, as it is produced, at the contract price (5.1 pence per Kw) to the Non Fossil Purchasing Agency (NFPA).