Carno Wind Power Plant started operation in October 1996. It covers an area of over 600 hectares on Trannon Moor, a plateau to the west of the village of Carno in Powys, Mid Wales, 400 metres (1,300 ft) above sea level.

Carno currently has the largest production capacity in Wales.

Carno Wind Power Plant originally consisting of 56 wind turbines each of 600 kilowatts (kW) maximum output, the combined maximum power of 33.6 megawatts (MW) made Carno the largest Wind Farm in Europe at the time of its construction. The total project cost was approximately £26 million.
Information:

  • Number of turbines: 56 (extended to 68 with Carno 2 in 2008)
  • Turbine manufacturer: Bonus Energy A/S, Denmark
  • Turbine rating: 600 kW.
  • Combined maximum power: 33.6MW
  • Tower height to hub: 31.5m
  • Blade number and diameter: 3 blades, each 44m long
  • Annual production: 90 million units
  • Wildlife information: 37 species of birds. 512 species of insects & spiders, including one Red Data Book entry, the nationally scarce Trechus rivularis ground beetle.
  • Archaeological features: Bronze Age cairns, standing stones and a possible Roman road crossing from east to west.

Public footpaths cross the site and are waymarked on Ordnance Survey maps.

In 2008 an extension is to be added and designated "Carno Wind Power Plant 2" bringing the total number of turbines to 68. These will comprise 12 new Siemens 1.3MW wind turbines with a hub height of 49 m, blade length of 30 m, rotor diameter of 62 m giving a tip height of 80 m.
Carno Wind Power Plant
Country Wales, United Kingdom
Locale near Carno, Powys
Status Operational
Commission date October 1996
March 2009
Owner(s) RWE npower
Developer(s) Beaufort Wind Limited

Turbine information
Turbines 68
Manufacturer(s) Siemens Wind Power
Hub height 31.5 m (103 ft)
Rotor diameter 44 m (144 ft)

Power generation information
Installed capacity 49.2 MW