The clearance programme is being carried out to make way for the installation of 237 wind turbines.

Spencer ECA is pleased to announce that it has recently been awarded two contracts by Forestry Commission Wales to carry out clearance work ahead of a major wind farm construction project on four sites commencing in the summer of 2012.

Sponsors

Sponsors

Sponsors

The clearance programme is being carried out to make way for the installation of 237 wind turbines and will see the clearance of 386 hectares of (954 acres) of lightly-wooded and juvenile crops in Clocaenog, Dyfnant and Nant y Moch Forests in north Wales, plus Brechfa, Rheola and Pen y Cymoedd Forests in the south.

The work will involve the removal of small and immature crops that are not viable to harvest, with the plans requiring only minimal felling of mature trees. Up to 50-metre radius around each of the turbines specify complete removal of vegetation, with the next 50-metres requiring clearance of any trees and plants that may be disturbed by air turbulence or effect the efficiency of the wind generation process.

In addition to the turbine sites, Spencer will clear a network of 25-metre wide corridors for new access roads and the installation of cable runs, as well as prepare a series of lay-down areas for the large components. Added to this, some of the existing roads in the area will also require widening and therefore, Spencer has been tasked to remove vegetation 10-metres either side of these already established routes.

As with any project – and in particular one that involves renewable energy in environmentally sensitive locations – Spencer will carry out its work in the most ecologically efficient way possible.

“We are delighted to have been awarded these major site clearance contracts for this important renewable energy project”, said Spencer ECA Director Jamie Jukes. “The work involved is very much in line with what our company does on a regular basis: forestry operations, site clearance, groundwork, recycling of materials and the production of biomass fuels for a variety of clients and therefore, we intend to work closely with Forestry Commission Wales and our chosen delivery partner Kingwell Holdings to make this a successful project for everyone involved.”

Work is scheduled to start in September 2012 and Spencer is already gearing up in readiness for the first phase.

Source: www.spencereca.com