A NUMBER of North Wales villages are in line for a cash boost after a multi-national investment trust acquired a windfarm project in a £21.6m deal. European private equity investor HgCapital has taken over the construction of Tir Mostyn wind farm from Windjen Power. Local councillor Paul Marfleet said the neighbouring villages of Llanrhaeadr, Cyffylliog and Nantglyn will be given £22,000 a year for community projects when the 25 turbines are up and running. The 21.25mw windfarm, which was given the go-ahead in the face of local opposition, is due to be completed in nine months. It will produce enough power to light 15,500 homes each year. Tir Mostyn marks the first of a series of investments planned by HgCapital in western European renewable energy projects. HgCapital director and renewable energy team head Tom Murley said: "Tir Mostyn is a first class project with sound long-term economics. "It benefits the nation through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the local community through capital investment, employment and annual contributions to a community fund." Mr Marfleet, Denbighshire council's finance and personnel portfolio holder, wants community councillors to decide exactly how the community cash will be divided. He said: "I was opposed to this wind-farm from the start. "I think there are alternatives to wind-power which have not been explored such as tide power. "Windfarms only work 27% of the time - when the wind is blowing. "But I am a realist and I know it has planning permission. I will be keeping a close eye to make sure all the conditions are adhered to. "To be fair to Mr Murley I wrote to him and he contacted me straight away. "The villages are set to get £22,000 per year. "I have written to all the community councillors to suggest we get together to discuss how the money is divided up and maybe set up a separate group." Debt facilities for the Tir Mostyn project were arranged and underwritten by the Bank of Scotland. HgCapital bosses estimate the project will save approximately 47,000 tonnes a year in greenhouse gas emissions "Renewable energy across Europe is at a turning point and has solid growth prospects in both the short and long-term," Mr Murley added. Mr Marfleet voiced concern about Welsh Assembly proposals to designate a vast swathe of Denbighshire countryside a Strategic Search Area. He claimed the move could see dozens of windturbines build on countryside stretching across areas including Bylchau, Nantglyn, Prion, Bontuchel and Llyn Aled. Mr Marfleet believes that it would blight the countryside and damage tourism. | 
