RWE today hosted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan at the Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm, South Wales, on their first official joint visit to the region.
The visit marks a renewed commitment by the Government to make the UK a clean energy superpower and learn lessons from the successful onshore wind farm industry in Wales.
RWE is the largest power producer and renewable energy generator in Wales, with more than 3GW of energy across 12 sites. Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm comprises of 28 turbines - enough to power 40,000 homes. The site has produced over 1.05TWh of energy since it was commissioned in 2018.
During today’s visit, the Prime Minister and First Minister toured the Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm site and met several current apprentices, as well those who have been through the apprenticeship training programme. They discussed the importance of green jobs and the impact that renewable energy projects have in the communities that host them.
Tom Glover, UK County Chair at RWE: “It was an honour to host the Prime Minister and First Minister of Wales this morning on their first official visit to the region. RWE fully supports the Government’s ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower and, as discussed today, there is a lot we can learn from the success of RWE’s onshore wind farms in Wales. Today was a crucial opportunity to ensure that delivering this scale of ambition remains at the very top of the Government’s agenda. We look forward to working in partnership with the Government and GB Energy to fast-track investment and accelerate the deployment of vital clean energy projects across the country.“
Eleri Davies, Head of Onshore Development for England and Wales: “As a member of the Government’s newly created Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce, it was incredibly valuable to show the Prime Minister and First Minister how RWE works with and for local communities, harnessing homegrown talent and supporting local communities.”
During today’s visit, the Prime Minister and Welsh First Minister met several apprentices working at Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm and wider sites in the region.
RWE has created 33 new apprenticeships this year, including onshore and offshore wind farm technicians, RWE Supply and Trading IT roles, and Engineering Technician Apprentices. The 33 new apprentice posts join RWE’s existing apprentices currently training in different business units across the UK, bringing the total number of apprentices working for RWE to approximately 100.
Nia Griffiths, UK Operational Manager: “Having joined RWE as an apprentice at Aberthaw coal-fired power station 17 years ago, my career has gone from strength to strength, and I now oversee onshore operations for the UK renewable business. The UK will rely on clean power for years to come, and it is hugely exciting to work at the forefront of this revolution. I’m very grateful to the skills and opportunities an apprenticeship at RWE has provided, and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to discuss this journey with the Prime Minister.”
During the visit, RWE also outlined details of its Community Benefit Fund, which supports local community projects, with funding decisions made by panels of local people.
Since it became operational, the Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm has invested £2.7m into the local community, with projects including offering unique learning opportunities to local schools and providing accessible and affordable transport in the region.
To date, UK onshore and offshore wind farm projects operated by RWE have invested more than £38m in community benefits.
Further information about RWE’s thinking on delivering the UK’s clean energy ambition can be found here.
