A leading civil engineering firm has secured a multi-million-pound contract to deliver key infrastructure for the first significant wind farm development in mid Wales for almost a decade.
Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has been appointed principal contractor by Carno 3 LLP, a joint venture between Amegni Renewables and Gresham House, to carry out works on the 10-turbine 45MW Carno III Wind Farm in Powys.
At a total cost of more than £100m, the Carno III project will generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 46,000 homes per year and save an expected 65,000 tonnes of CO2.
Once operational, the three Carno wind farms, all of which are locally operated by Amegni, will total 78 turbines and have an installed capacity of nearly 100MW. Together, they will deliver £250,000 in community benefit payments to the mid Wales area annually.
As part of its £46.5m contract, Jones Bros is carrying out crucial grid reinforcement works by installing 20km of new underground cable between Welshpool substation and the connection point south of Abermule to strengthen a section of the existing SP Energy Networks’ (SPEN) mid Wales 132kV grid system.
The Ruthin-headquartered tier one contractor will also construct the turbine foundations, a new on-site substation and control building, undertake cabling works, upgrade more than 4.4km of existing and 4.7km of new access tracks, and enhance existing highways to facilitate deliveries.
The last wind farm to become fully operational in mid Wales was Garreg Lwyd, located between Llandrindod and Newtown, which started generating power in spring 2017.
Jones Bros senior contract manager Rhys Roberts, who will oversee a team of up to 90, including apprentices, said: 'It’s a landmark moment for mid Wales after a lengthy period without any new significant wind farm developments.
'Having delivered Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm, our highly skilled team is looking forward to helping bring Carno III to fruition.
'We were the principal contractors on Carno II back in 2009 for Amegni, so this is something of a full circle moment for us as a company, and one we are proud to be involved in.
'It’s also our highest value wind farm contract in Wales to date, highlighting the importance placed on renewable energy.'
Jones Bros will utilise the local supply chain where possible, with social value initiatives also on the agenda throughout construction.
Works have already commenced on site, with the wind farm expected to be completed in autumn 2027.
Sion Thomas, director of Amegni Renewables, said: 'We are pleased to once again be working with Jones Bros on this very exciting project. Carno III Wind Farm meets the Welsh Government’s aspirations for renewable energy across the board.
'With its local ownership and more than £50m of contracts awarded to Welsh-based businesses and individuals, the project will make a significant contribution to the mid Wales economy and the whole country’s renewable energy targets.
'As a local company, we call on the new Plaid Cymru Government to support projects like this through the planning system and encourage the necessary grid upgrades in mid Wales to help deliver the economic growth needed.
'Carno III is a good example of what can be achieved when investment in renewable energy also delivers meaningful local economic benefits.'
Amegni Renewables is a local business formed by farmers from Carno and currently operates the Carno 1 and Carno 2 wind farms. The company has developed Carno III Wind Farm and maintains a focus on keeping the benefits of the project locally.
The Carno III site includes more than 350 hectares of new habitat enhancement and peat restoration measures. The development also includes significant upgrades to the local public rights of way network, alongside a comprehensive community benefit package totalling more than £3.5m over the life of the wind farm.
Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 550 people.
The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, reservoirs, waste management, and renewable energy around the UK.
The company runs an award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has produced a large percentage of its current workforce, with several of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. It has recruited hundreds of apprentices over the years.
Source: Jones Bros
