New wind farm off North Wales promises jobs boost
A new offshore wind project off the coast of North Wales is expected to support jobs and economic growth in the region, according to the Secretary of State for Wales.
The Awel y Môr project, planned in the Irish Sea off the North Wales coast, was among those to secure a contract in the UK Government’s latest renewable energy auction, announced on 14 January.
The Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, visited the Port of Mostyn on 22 January to meet developers from RWE and discuss plans for the site.
Once fully constructed, Awel y Môr is expected to include up to 50 turbines located around 10 kilometres offshore, to the west of the existing Gwynt y Môr wind farm.
Jo Stevens said: “The development of the Awel y Môr project is huge news for North Wales and will deliver more well-paid, highly-skilled jobs and growth to the local area.
“The UK Government is working with investors to develop home-grown clean power which will secure our energy supply and bring down bills for good.
“Wales is at the centre of this and projects like Awel y Môr will help us achieve those goals.”
RWE’s project lead for Awel y Môr, Philippa Powell, said the company was moving towards a final investment decision following the auction result.
She said: “Following our success in the most recent CfD auction round, it was a pleasure to be able to update the Secretary of State for Wales on our plans for Awel y Môr for the coming year, as we work towards a final investment decision.
“Capable of powering more than half the homes in Wales once fully realised, Awel y Môr represents a key part in RWE’s commitment to investing in renewable energy here in Wales, alongside the Pembroke Net Zero Centre, and our onshore wind and solar projects.”
The auction has been described by the UK Government as the largest single procurement of offshore wind capacity in British and European history.
Across the UK, it secured 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity, which ministers say is enough to power the equivalent of 12 million homes. The government says the results will unlock around £22 billion in private investment and support about 7,000 jobs.
Alongside Awel y Môr, the Erebus project in the Celtic Sea off the Pembrokeshire coast also secured a contract in the auction.
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
