Member Article

Wind turbine deliveries on track at Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm

The delivery of 27 wind turbines to a renewable energy development in Denbighshire is progressing well and on schedule.

Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK is principal contractor and working closely with the turbine supplier managing the arrival of turbine components to the Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm for developer innogy Renewables UK.

And the deliveries mark further progress at the £20 million scheme. The civil engineering company has also constructed 8km of access tracks, upgraded 20km of existing tracks, and installed crane pads ahead of deliveries.

Cable installation is now progressing on site and reinstatement works are also being carried out to help provide smooth road surfaces to vehicles during deliveries.

Site agent Rhys Roberts said: “We’re working closely with the turbine suppliers in the delivery process to ensure it takes place safely. The components, which include blades, towers, and nacelles, will be stored on site to give us a head start in preparation for the arrival of cranes in April to erect the turbines.

“With a delivery of two components per day expected to take place until June, we remain on time and to budget, despite challenging weather conditions.

“The Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm project has also allowed us to provide 15 apprentices and trainees with experience of a major renewables scheme, helping them develop their skills for the future.”

Jones Bros completed concrete pours at the site in December, using an average of 640m3 of concrete and 90 tonnes of reinforcement steel to construct the turbine bases.

The development, based just 10 miles from Jones Bros’ head office and training centre in Ruthin, involves more than 50 workers, with many from the local area.

The family firm has also worked closely with the local community, which will receivea community investment fund from innogy worth up to £768,000 per annum, throughout the lifetime of the project once the wind farm is operational.

The wind farm, situated within the working forest managed by Natural Resources Wales, will have the capacity to generate enough electricity to meet the needs of up to 63,800 average UK homes per year.

Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros is now being run by the second and third generations of the founding family and employs more than 350 people.

In addition to renewable energy, it is currently working on contracts in various sectors including the construction of waste management facilities, highways, flood and marine defence, and highways projects around the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .