CASTELL LLWYD, A 500kW EWT TURBINE IN NEWTOWN WALES, IS A PROJECT THAT IN MANY WAYS TYPIFIES THE QUALITIES, SKILLS AND APPLICATION THAT CLEANEARTH BRINGS TO EACH AND EVERY PROJECT.

Faced with seemingly impossible deadlines and poor weather conditions – this turbine went from planning approval to full installation and commissioning in only 25 days!

Various delays in the planning process meant that the project lost an ability to be pre-accredited –allowing a 12-month period to complete.

Rather than submitting to circumstances, CE requested that Extraordinary Council Meeting was convened, immediately prior to Christmas 2015. On 21st December, the Castell Llwyd turbine was approved – with a single objection – and the real work started.

It was all hands on deck throughout Christmas and New Year as the deadline for commissioning was on the 15th January.

On 23rd December, there was no electrical (DNO) connection – 1 mile connection required, no access, no foundation and the added problems of securing materials over a period when most suppliers had already closed.

Despite the multiple and substantial obstacles, the steelwork for the foundation for the turbine was laid between Boxing Day and New Years Day. A concrete works was opened specifically for this project.  CE achieved the target through application, organisation, lateral thinking and simple hard work. Throughout the build, we also encountered some of the worst weather that South Wales had seen in a long time; a nearby village had recorded rainfall for 75 consecutive days!

The project was completed and the turbine was energised on the 14th January – just 24 hours before the deadline – 3 and a half weeks after planning approval across a busy Christmas period.

Other companies in the industry would have shied away from such a challenge, but CE embraced it, calling on all their knowledge and experience to make it happen and drawing on the pride that comes from working strongly as a team.

CE is unique in taking on challenging and complex projects – and making them work. Whether obstacles are related to planning, grid, access or construction – the in-house team at CleanEarth will find the solutions that others cannot.

The installation, Castell Llwyd, will generate a fund that will amount to over £200,000 across the lifetime of the turbine which will be injected into the local community. The community fund is currently managed by the local parish and the most recent payment is being used to help fund installations of solar panels on local primary schools.

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