Silver Valley: From Mines to Modern Energy

“Silver Valley” — or Cwm Arian in Welsh — is a landscape shaped by centuries of people and industry. Long before turbines and solar panels, this valley was defined by its silver and lead mining heritage. The deep, rich mineral veins here once drew miners and their families, forming communities and leaving a legacy that still echoes in the land today. Mining was hard work, and life was tough, but it also forged strong communities. Locals still tell stories of men and women working long hours underground, while children played along the old tramways that carried ore down the hillsides. The remains of old workings and earthworks still dot the hills, quiet reminders of that era.

Fast forward to the present, and Cwm Arian is carrying that spirit of local innovation into a new era. After more than a decade of campaigning and community effort, we installed a 700 kW community wind turbine at Trefawr Farm near Llanfyrnach. The turbine quietly turns day and night, generating millions of kilowatt-hours of clean electricity — enough for roughly 1,400 homes — while producing almost no noise.

“It’s amazing to see something so modern sitting in the same valley where our ancestors mined silver and lead,” says local volunteer Megan Davies, who has helped run energy workshops for nearby schools.

Selling this electricity generates income that is invested directly back into the community, funding projects that support local groups, improve energy advice services, and strengthen wellbeing across North Pembrokeshire.

The story of Silver Valley doesn’t stop with miners and turbines. Over the years, the valley has been shaped by the Cardi Bach railway, a narrow-gauge line built in the late 1800s to carry minerals, goods, and passengers between rural communities. Older residents still recall tales of riding the small carriages across the hills, or watching wagons laden with ore snake their way down the valley. Local figures like Mansel Davies also left a mark on the area, championing initiatives to support community life and industry. Each generation has added to the valley’s story, showing how the landscape has adapted, innovated, and thrived.

At Cwm Arian, we see our work as part of this ongoing story. By generating local, clean energy, we’re reducing carbon emissions, supporting practical skills and training, helping households cut energy costs, and backing projects like our solar arrays and community energy systems.

Whether through supporting local initiatives, exploring renewable technologies, or simply keeping the turbine turning, we’re proud to play a part in the valley’s evolving legacy — connecting the story of yesterday with the actions of today and tomorrow, and showing that energy, community, and history can all work hand in hand.