Mynydd y Betws facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mynydd y Betws |
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Upper slopes of Mynydd y Betws
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 373 m (1,224 ft) |
| Prominence | 205 m (673 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn, council top |
| Geography | |
| Location | Swansea / Carmarthenshire, Wales |
| OS grid | SN664094 |
Mynydd y Betws is a large hill or small mountain in South Wales. It sits right on the edge between two areas: Swansea and Carmarthenshire. You can find it between the towns of Ammanford and Clydach. This area is mostly high land covered in grassy fields. Near the top, there are the old ruins of a medieval castle called Penlle'r Castell. You'll also easily spot the Mynydd y Betws Wind Farm, which has fifteen huge wind turbines, each about 110 meters (361 feet) tall!
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Exploring Mynydd y Betws's Location
Mynydd y Betws stands at 373 meters (1,224 feet) high. This makes it the tallest point in the City and County of Swansea. It is also the highest land found between the River Loughor and the Upper Clydach River.
A small road connects Ammanford and Clydach. This road passes very close to the top of Mynydd y Betws.
The Ancient Penlle'r Castell
Near the summit, you can find the historic ruins of Penlle'r Castell. This old fort was built a long time ago, around the 1200s. Its main purpose was to stop armed groups from the north attacking Swansea. Sadly, the castle did not last very long. It was destroyed in 1252, just a short time after it was built. Today, only a few parts of the fort remain.
The Mynydd y Betws Wind Farm
Mynydd y Betws is home to a large wind farm. This farm uses wind turbines to create electricity. The plan for the wind farm was approved in 2009. It started making electricity in 2013.
Who Owns the Wind Farm?
The first company to develop the site was Eco2. They are a company that focuses on renewable energy. However, in 2010, Eco2 sold the wind farm site. It was bought by ESB, an electricity company from Ireland.
How the Wind Farm Works
Each wind turbine at Mynydd y Betws is very tall. The main mast of each turbine is about 70 meters (230 feet) high. The blades on each turbine are about 40 meters (131 feet) long.
There are fifteen turbines in total at the wind farm. Together, they can produce 34.5 megawatts of power. This amount of electricity is enough to power about 23,800 homes! That's about one-third of all the homes in Carmarthenshire.
Helping the Community
The Mynydd y Betws Wind Farm also has a special fund. This fund helps local projects in nearby areas. These areas include parts of Carmarthenshire, Swansea, and Neath Port Talbot. The fund provides money for projects that benefit the community.
