Trydan's itinerary over the summer

Firstly, a view of the ‘bigger picture’ is in order – that is, engaging with the people of Wales through national events. Trydan’s Head of Public Involvement and Head of Development visited the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells, to listen and talk about Electricity's publicly owned renewable energy projects, located on public land. A key theme that emerged in their talks was a better understanding in the nation of fundamental links between our prosperity, well-being and land management. This is a positive change, one that Trydan supports and incorporates, to achieve multiple benefits from our natural resources, and manage them sustainably.

A fortnight later, on the maes of the National Eisteddfod, Trydan was holding activities for everyone of all ages to take part and offer their thoughts, over two busy days. From craft activities and 'quiz' competitions for children in the Science and Technology Village, to asking people across the festival about their views and questions about renewable energy, and hosting a panel of young people to discuss how to use their communication skills to illuminate the climate crisis and the potential of a more ambitious Wales, it was a fruitful opportunity to present Trydan and its vision, and to involve and update the people of Wales about our wind and solar projects – including Glyn Cothi, the closest project to this year's Eisteddfod. A news item about our time at the Eisteddfod has been published – you can read more here.

As well as national events, we frequently visited the areas surrounding our proposed projects in order to listen and chat with local communities about our work. In the case of the proposed Carreg Wen Wind Farm project, based in Rhondda Cynon Taf, attendance at a 'fete' of two local schools was arranged to the project site, holding fun activities for children and entertaining conversations with parents about their views, priorities, and important role in the development of the project, as a local stakeholder.

There have been a number of introductions between Trydan and community and business groups across Rhondda Cynon Taf in recent months, including meetings of Business in the Community, RCT Business Club, Neighbourhood Networks and Maerdy community centre, and RCT Climate Action Network. These were important opportunities for local communities and businesses to gain an introduction to Trydan and the Carreg Wen project, to understand the proposal and the opportunities to have input into the development process and to benefit from the project in the long term.

The business community was the focus of Trydan's work on the proposed Glyn Cothi project over the summer. At the beginning of July, the Carmarthenshire Business Breakfast was hosted by Trydan. Over 50 representatives of businesses and organisations from across south-west Wales attended, to learn from Trydan speakers and guest speakers from key sectors of the county about the huge economic opportunity facing Wales, and the south-west in particular, as the world's energy systems switch to renewable, low carbon energy technology. Speakers from Swansea Bay City Deal, Associated British Ports, Carmarthenshire County Council, and Knights Brown Construction crystallised the opportunity for onshore and offshore renewable energy in the area, which is meaningful to local needs and priorities and supports the economy and energy resilience of south-west Wales, and Wales as a whole.

This link with businesses was built on through 4TheRegion's It's Your Carmarthenshire event, which took place on Trydan's 2nd anniversary since its public launch, where there was further discussion with educational, construction, and other businesses about the opportunities of the Glyn Cothi project.

We also had a virtual workshop on ecology in Brechfa forest, and the surrounding area, with local experts commenting and posing questions to the team.

A focus on rural communities was the focus of Trydan's time in the area of the proposed Clocaenog Dau project. Members of the Trydan team were pleased to welcome Elfed Williams MS and Becca Martin MS to the Clocaenog Dau site, to discuss aspects of the early design of the project, the input and data we are considering when reviewing that design, the potential benefits that can come from a large-scale energy project and how to preserve profits generated in Wales. Towards the end of August, there were interesting conversations with agricultural members in the area during the Nantglyn show and the Denbigh and Flint show – these are important conversations to ensure that the energy and agriculture industries jointly contribute to the resilience of the country's essentials, such as energy and food.

So, after the summer’s end, Trydan is looking to the future. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the people of Wales, through screenings of the 'People's Emergency Briefing’ in partnership with Theatr Soar, in Merthyr, on the 7th and 8th of October. 

We also have a "start of school term" feeling: having tested our Educational Platform with a group of young people attending a summer course at the Urdd Camp in Pentre Ifan, we are looking forward to introducing it to secondary school classes.

And, of course, project development carries on. We will be holding the Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) for Larnog Solar Farm during Autumn and winter 2026. We look forward to receiving feedback from residents and local stakeholders on our plans for the 35MW solar project.