THE UK’s largest energy generator welcomed more than 100 schoolchildren to its largest onshore wind farm in North Wales alongside colleagues from Vestas and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.
The visit gave the pupils from Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, in Llanrwst, an insight into how the RWE wind turbines work and are maintained, how sites are developed and constructed, the different careers available in renewable energy, as well as progress at on-site ecology project.
The 27-turbine Clocaenog Wind Farm, which was inaugurated in 2022, has a generating capacity of 96MW, equivalent to the needs of 63,800 homes.
More than 100 students from Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy toured RWE’s Clocaenog Wind Farm.
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: 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.”
More than 100 students from Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy toured RWE’s Clocaenog Wind Farm.
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!”
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