​The Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change has opened a new wind farm in Clocaenog Forest, just 18 miles away from Wrexham. The new development, which is owned and operated by RWE, will be the largest onshore wind farm in the firm's UK portfolio, producing 96MW of clean energy capacity.

The new development cost £118 million to develop and has 27 individual turbines. At full capacity, it will be able to generate enough clean power for nearly 64,000 homes. The wind farm finished construction after 18 months of building. However, it was prevented from formally opening because of the Covid pandemic.

The inauguration event was attended by business leaders, local dignitaries and Natural Resources Wales. Mr James said it was a pleasure to mark the official opening of the new Clocaenog Forest onshore wind farm, which will help to create skilled jobs and benefit local communities.

39% of Welsh renewable electricity is already produced via onshore wind, but the country has big ambitions to take things further, working to make Wales a net exporter of clean energy to help grow its economy.

Mr James explained that Wales wanted to create a smart, green and low-carbon electricity network that would meet the future needs of people and communities, providing real value in the longer term for Wales.

RWE is already a well-known developer in Wales. Its construction phase of the project provided work for 14 apprentices and 60 skilled engineers. RWE has already invested more than £3 billion in energy projects in Wales in the past ten years alone. It is now working to help the Welsh Government completely source its national power needs from green energy by 2035.

The project is also already delivering an annual community investment payment to the surrounding area worth £768,000 each year.