A group of leading forestry figures which included both the new Chair and the Director General of the Forestry Commission visited Wales to see how the country was reducing its CO2 emissions.
The high-powered delegation toured two key developments in south Wales which are at the heart of Wales’s renewable energy commitment.
The group – led by Forestry Commission Chair Pamela Warhurst and Director General Tim Rollinson – visited the largest onshore wind farm development site in Wales, in Rhigos Forest near Port Talbot.
The development of wind farms is a key component of the Welsh Assembly Government’s renewable energy strategy.
The group was also given a guided tour of the Western Bio-Energy plant near Port Talbot, which annually burns 160,000 tons of clean woodfuel – of which 66,000 tons is supplied by Forestry Commission Wales – to generate enough electricity for 31,000 homes.
Britain’s Forestry Commissioners visit Wales every two years and the purpose of this year’s visit was to see how Wales was cutting its CO2 emissions by using more wood for energy in place of fossil fuels.
The group also included Forestry Commission Wales Director Trefor Owen and Commissioners from Wales, England and Scotland.
Mr Owen said, “The Welsh Assembly Government has made a public commitment to reduce our CO2 emissions and an increased emphasis on renewable energy is central to achieving its ambitious targets.
“The Assembly Government’s strategy, Woodlands for Wales, sets out how our trees and woodlands have a key role to play in fighting climate change and I was delighted to show the Forestry Commissioners how FC Wales is meeting this challenge.”
The Commissioners also met FC Wales staff at the outdoor woodland theatre, Theatr Tymaen, which is a popular venue for community groups in the Afan forest.
