Jones Bros awarded contract for major Welsh wind farm infrastructure

The Carno III onshore wind farm in Wales has awarded a multi-million-pound infrastructure contract to Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK. The project, which is valued at more than £100 million, is set to become the most significant wind farm development in mid-Wales in almost a decade. As the principal contractor, Jones Bros will deliver key infrastructure works for the 45MW facility, which comprises ten turbines.

Under the £46.5 million agreement, the Ruthin-headquartered company will undertake crucial grid reinforcement works. This involves installing 20km of new underground cable between the Welshpool substation and a connection point south of Abermule. The aim is to strengthen a section of the existing SP Energy Networks mid-Wales 132kV grid system. Jones Bros will also construct the turbine foundations, a new on-site substation and control building, and carry out associated cabling works. Additionally, the contract includes upgrading more than 4.4km of existing access tracks, creating 4.7km of new tracks, and enhancing existing highways to facilitate deliveries to the Powys site.

Carno III is being developed as a joint venture between Amegni Renewables and Gresham House. When combined with the Carno I and Carno II projects, the three wind farms will feature a total of 78 turbines with an installed capacity of nearly 100MW. The development is expected to deliver £250,000 in annual community benefit payments to the mid-Wales area. Jones Bros has stated it will utilise the local supply chain where possible and implement social value initiatives throughout the construction period.

Rhys Roberts, senior contract manager at Jones Bros, described the appointment as a landmark moment for the region following a lengthy period without new significant wind farm developments. He noted that the company served as principal contractor for Carno II in 2009, making this a full circle moment for the firm. Roberts will oversee a team of up to 90 staff, including apprentices. Works have already commenced on site, with the wind farm expected to be completed in autumn 2027. The last wind farm to become fully operational in mid-Wales was Garreg Lwyd, which started generating power in spring 2017.