RWE, the UK’s largest energy generator, welcomed more than 100 Llanrwst schoolchildren to its largest onshore wind farm in North Wales.

The visit gave the pupils from Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy an insight into how wind turbines work and are maintained, how sites are developed and constructed, the different careers available in renewable energy, and progress at on-site ecology project.

The 27-turbine Clocaenog Wind Farm, opened in 2022, has a generating capacity of 96MW - equivalent to the needs of 63,800 homes.

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The visit supports the new national curriculum for Wales which includes lessons on climate change and renewable energy.

Pupils were able to look up close and learn about the workings of wind turbines, Wales' role as the UK aims to reach net zero by 2050, and how this and future projects contribute.

Eleri Davies, head of onshore development in Wales and England for RWE, said: “With such growth in renewables right now, we’re really pleased to be able to showcase the kinds of careers available to young people like this alongside our colleagues from Vestas and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.

“From development to construction and then operations, there is a huge variety in terms of the skills needed as we look to meet our collective targets for low carbon energy.

“With onshore projects at Gaerwen and Alwen Forest planned, and Awel y Môr on the horizon as well, there is real opportunity right on our doorstep here in North Wales.”

Carl Thatcher, physics teacher at Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, said: “The partnership with RWE and the site visit has been a great benefit to the pupils as they can see up close what we're talking about in class and to get a real-life experience of what is going on in the world regarding climate change.”

Mark McDonough, wind turbine operations and maintenance trainer and assessor at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said: "It was a fantastic opportunity for the school pupils to see a wind turbine up-close with their own eyes.

“Seeing them take an interest was great and I was glad to be able to help answer their questions on wind farm construction, operation and maintenance.

“Who knows - we may see them in the future as the next generation of wind turbine technicians!”

According to a report, 43.4 per cent of the overall £118million supply chain expenditure during development and construction was spent in the UK and an additional 81p in was generated in the UK for every £1 invested.

Across the 10-year development and construction phases, the project generated £10.8m in Gross Value Added (GVA) for Wales, with the majority of the spend in Wales retained in Denbighshire.

The wind farm is also enabling the restoration of upland heathland by controlling the regeneration of commercial Sitka spruce and rewetting previously drained peat.

This will in turn provide habitat for an array of species including insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals in particular nightjars and hazel dormouse.  

In addition to the funds invested in the construction of Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm, 42 jobs each year are supported in Wales through operations and maintenance, alongside a skills development and training programme with apprentices.