Photograph © Alwyn Williams. Reproduced under the Creative Commons licence
Moel Maelogan (shown on O.S. maps as ‘Maelogen’, and also sometimes spelled ‘Moelogan‘) is a hill (summit height 424m) on the western edge of Mynydd Hiraethog (also known as the Denbigh Moors) in north Wales, and overlooking the Conwy Valley. It is known mostly as the general location of a wind farm.
The initial 3 turbines were erected in 2002, and started generating in January 2003, each turbine capable of producing 1300kW. This scheme marked erection of the UK Wind Industry’s 1000th turbine and was initially welcomed, as it had been set up by 3 local farmers to boost their incomes, under the company name of Cwmni Gwynt Teg (“Fair Wind”). After commissioning, however, it was not without its opponents, not least because, although not located in the Snowdonia National Park itself, the turbines are visible from many parts of it.
Of the 3 turbines, 2 are owned and operated by the local farming co-operative, the third is owned and operated by Energiekontor. Energiekontor UK Ltd, the UK subsidiary of the German wind development company Energiekontor AG, was instrumental in the finance and construction of the wind farm.
The electricity produced goes to the local Llanrwst sub-station 4.5km away, and is sold to the Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency.
Under the project name of “Ail Wynt” (Second Wind), Cwmni Gwynt Teg planned a further 11 turbines but this was rejected. Despite further opposition a plan for an additional 9 turbines was passed, and erection and commission of these took place in 2008 “within a more compact area and at reduced height.”
Cwmni Gwynt Teg won an Ashden Award in 2003 for their work on the wind farm.
