Below is an article that was written, in the local newspaper, about our recent expedition to Sweden
www.thisiscarmarthenshire.co.uk
Carmarthen Journal, Wednesday, April 29, 2009 23
Firm blows competition away
by India Pollock india.pollock@swwmedia.co.uk
A CARMARTHEN company fought off international competitors to supply wind energy equipment in Sweden.
It was a case of made in Wales as Solar Wheel took Welsh wind energy equipment to a country at the forefront of wind energy.
Brechfa-based Solar Wheel is run by Bobby Bazalgette and the project was part of a large new programme of investment in renewable energy in Sweden.
The team — all from the Carmarthen and Gwen-draeth area — spent three weeks in Sweden and had to climb 70-metre masts.
“In spite of blizzards, very difficult ground conditions and strict health and safety requirements, the job was finished on time and in budget,” said Bobby.
“We spent three weeks in Swedish forestry area — quite similar to Brechfa Forest — where there is a mixture of commercial forestry and tourism.
“Tourism is very important in that area and wind energy is not seen as a problem affecting that. Wind energy is very popular in Sweden.
Bobby said: “They have almost 10 times as many turbines as the UK.”
Solar Wheel won the contract despite competition from Danish , and German companies and the instruments used were made by Windspeed, a company in Rhyl.
Bobby said more needed to be done to provide renewable energy in Britain.
“Wind energy is moving ahead as a means of reducing dependence on fossil fuels worldwide,” he said.