Latest news with #RhonddaCynonTaf
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wales' battery energy systems a 'wild west' amid net zero drive
The drive to reach net zero is leading to a "wild west" of applications for potentially dangerous battery storage sites across Wales, a politician has said. Llyr Gruffydd, chairman of the Senedd's climate change, energy and infrastructure committee, said applications for battery energy storage systems (Bess) were often "speculative punts" that were "coming forward in an unmanaged way". There are currently 87 Bess applications in Wales, but campaigners say they pose a safety risk after serious fires across the globe. The Welsh government said the systems would assist the increasing use of renewable energy to "provide the low-carbon flexibility we require". Bess allows energy to be stockpiled, usually in lithium-ion batteries when, for instance, strong winds are creating an energy surplus from turbines or the sun is making a surplus from solar can be stored and released to the grid at a later stage when there is more demand. The systems are covered by a robust regulatory framework which applies regardless of the size of the there have been fires reported at Bess sites, including one in Liverpool in September 2020 which created a "significant blast" and took 59 hours to extinguish, and another in California earlier this year. One of the proposed developments in Wales is near Cefn Rhigos in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where an application is under way for a site which could import and export 200 MW of power. Cefn Rhigos resident Clare Rees said the site was too close to houses, just a few hundred metres away. She said: "Our main concern as a community is the proximity of the houses and people to the proposed site and the dangers that could come from a fire."They say the risk is low, but the risk is there and rules need to be in place to safeguard residents."Agents acting on behalf of the developer told BBC-produced Newyddion S4C they did not want to respond to the Cynon Taf council said the application had been called in by Welsh ministers and was currently on hold, pending the submission of further information from the applicant. Prof Kathryn Toghill, originally from Caernarfon, Gwynedd, said she recognised the fire risk and said other options should be considered."I think the risk is manageable but there are alternatives and we shouldn't be putting everything into lithium-ion batteries," the professor of sustainable electrochemistry and energy materials at Lancaster University said."It might be more that we need to diversify our battery technology... [but] it's really hard to compete with the costs of these and that's what really matters to people when it comes to energy."Prof Toghill also claimed there was an "energy security risk" in becoming overly-reliant on lithium-ion batteries used at Bess sites as the UK has no supply chain for creating them, relying on countries such as China for the critical raw materials. Not referring to any specific development, Plaid Cymru MS Gruffydd said there needed to be a "national strategy" in terms of battery storage and where to place them."Battery storage is a part of the answer when it comes to our energy future in Wales," he said. "But the fear I have is that the developments that are on the table at the minute and that are flying in as speculative punts, very often from all sorts of energy companies, are coming forward in an unmanaged way."It's unmanaged, it's a bit of a wild west situation at the moment and that needs to change."The Welsh government said Bess sites would play a "crucial part" in supporting the security of the network and the wider integration of renewable energy across the wider grid. It added the National Energy System Operator would consider the scale of proposed Bess developments, ensuring they were well planned and situated while "considering the opinions of the communities supporting them".
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Fifth person charged with arson after Ferndale house fire
A 32-year-old man has become the fifth person to be charged in relation to a house fire in Rhondda Cynon house was badly damaged and others were evacuated following the blaze in Protheroe Street, Ferndale, on 28 were no serious injuries, but some residents were treated for smoke Manito, from Weston-super-Mare, has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life. Storm Truman, 19, Auryn Guster, 19, Connor Pitt, 23 and Alfie Wheeler, 18, all from Weston-super-Mare, appeared in Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on 30 July charged with arson with intent to endanger Wheeler was also charged with possessing a knife blade or a sharp pointed article in a public pleas were entered. All five remain in police custody ahead of their next court appearance.
BBC News
01-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Community bid to buy Cwm Rhondda chapel accepted
A campaign group set up to save the chapel where the hymn tune Cwm Rhondda was first performed will be allowed to buy the building, the Baptist Union of Wales (BUW) has as Bread of Heaven in English, the hymn was first sung at Capel Rhondda in Hopkinstown, Rhondda Cynon Taf, just before Christmas final service, amid a declining number of attendees, was held in December 2024 and the Grade II listed chapel was put up for sale by the Welsh Baptist Union with a price tag of £47, who wanted the chapel to remain a community space quickly raised more than the purchase price, with BUW saying it was "deeply moved by the extraordinary response to this campaign". The campaign "demonstrated the powerful connection that people across Wales and throughout the world feel to this chapel," it added. "The crowdfunding appeal, which began with support from local communities, has captured hearts. "This overwhelming response reflects the universal appeal of the hymn that first echoed within the walls of the chapel in November 1907." The hymn tune, composed by John Hughes in 1907 for the chapel's organ dedication, is an unofficial anthem of Wales, the BUW said, and a "source of comfort and inspiration to countless individuals".It also recognised campaigner Rhian Hopkins, who grew up in the village and led the effort which raised about £55,000 in a two-week campaign. "We acknowledge and celebrate the continuing need for spaces where communities can gather, reflect, and find spiritual belonging," the BUW said."This campaign exemplifies the best of community spirit and collective action." "This isn't just any chapel, this is the home of Cwm Rhondda, the home of Bread of Heaven," Ms Hopkins said previously. Singer and broadcaster Beverley Humphreys, who is from nearby Pontypridd, said: "This hymn, Cwm Rhondda is in our DNA as Welsh people... it's been in my heart ever since I can remember."
BBC News
30-07-2025
- BBC News
Ferndale house fire sees two appear in court charged with arson
Two people have appeared in court following a fire in Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Truman, 19, and Alfie Wheeler, 18, both from Weston-super-Mare, appeared in Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with arson with intent to endanger life. One house was badly damaged and others were evacuated following the blaze in Protheroe Street on 28 July. No-one was badly Wheeler has also been charged with possessing a knife blade or a sharp pointed article in a public place. Magistrates were told the group had "travelled together to specifically target" a property believing two individuals "had not repaid a drug debt".The court heard the fire caused £650,000 worth of damage to three properties, their contents and a were told the case was so serious that it had to be dealt with at crown case was sent to Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for a hearing on 27 were no applications for bail and the pair were remanded in Gustar, 19, and Connor Pitt, 23, are expected to appear before magistrates later, charged with arson with intent to endanger life.
BBC News
28-07-2025
- BBC News
Man pleads not guilty to 'much loved' Ynyshir dad's murder
A man has pleaded not guilty to murder after a "much loved" father-of-three was found inquest found Christopher Dean, 36, died from a bleed on the brain at his home on Graig Road in Ynyshir, Rhondda Cynon Taf on 26 Griffiths, from Ynyshir, denied the murder charge at Merthyr Crown Court on 34-year-old has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear in court on 24 November. A post-mortem examination gave an initial cause of death as bleeding on the base of the brain, pending further inquest earlier this month heard that Mr Dean was found lying face down on the kitchen floor with blood around his after his death, Mr Dean's family said he was a "devoted" father-of-three and "much loved" son, brother and said Mr Dean was a "well-known" and "loved character" who brought "energy, humour, and warmth wherever he went".
