Rural communities in west Denbighshire are being urged to have their say in the distribution of a £4m windfarm windfall.

Two drop-in sessions are being held next week so that residents can voice an opinion on what projects and good causes should be funded.

The Brenig Wind Limited Community Benefit Fund will provide almost £4m over 25 years from the 37.6mW Brenig Wind Farm, part of a larger turbine installation in the Clocaenog Forest.

The fund is being administered by Corwen rural agency Cadwyn Clwyd, which wants as many people as possible to have their say.

Cadwyn Clwyd manager Lowri Owain said: “Brenig Wind is already operational and our aim is to find out where and how local residents want the money to be spent.

“The funding is expected to be available in the New Year and it is important that as many people as possible are aware of the opportunities.”

Wind turbines behind the Llyn Brenig reservoir
Wind turbines behind the Llyn Brenig reservoir

Set to benefit are communities from Trefnant in the north to Maerdy in the south. The area also stretches to the River Clwyd in the east and to the heart of the Denbigh Moors in the west.

Cadwyn Clwyd is planning to set up a grants panel drawn from this area to make funding decisions.

It is also conducting an online survey of opinions on possible projects to be funded by the developers, Chinese-owned power giants CGN Europe Energy.

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The 16-turbine Brenig Wind Farm is part of the Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch ward, which is represented by Cllr Joe Welch.

He said: “I would encourage all local residents to engage in the consultation.

“The fund is a lot of money, so this is a great opportunity for communities to “think big”.

Cadwyn Clwyd drop-in sessions

Monday, November 26

Canolfan Cae Cymro, Clawddnewydd, 4pm-7pm,.

Tuesday, November 27

Henllan Church Institute, 3pm-6pm.

Windfall payments will eventually trickle down from all turbines being erected in Clocaenog Forest.

Chair of the Hiraethog Project Steering Group is another Denbighshire County Councillor, Eryl Williams, from Clawddnewydd, who said the fund was a great opportunity for local community groups and societies.

But he cautioned: “They need to be prepared to think out of the box and think big – to look at opportunities to work together on common projects with other groups and organisations inside the area.”