North Wales offshore wind project secures major boost
A major new offshore wind project off the North Wales coast has been confirmed as part of the UK’s biggest-ever renewable energy auction.
Awel y Môr, which will be located about 10 kilometres off the coast between Llandudno and Rhyl, is the first Welsh offshore wind farm to secure a government contract in more than a decade.
The development is expected to be serviced from Mostyn Docks in Flintshire, continuing the port’s key role in supporting North Wales’ offshore energy industry.
Mostyn has already played a central part in projects such as Gwynt y Môr, Rhyl Flats and North Hoyle.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “Today’s announcement is huge news for Pembrokeshire and North Wales. It is a massive vote of confidence in Wales’ clean energy industry which is already delivering the well-paid, highly-skilled jobs of the future with the potential to bring thousands more.”
“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. These new projects in the seas off Wales will help us achieve those goals.”
The UK Government said the latest auction, known as Contracts for Difference AR7, secured 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity, enough to power the equivalent of 12 million homes across Britain.
It is expected to unlock around £22 billion in private investment and support more than 7,000 skilled jobs nationwide, including in North Wales.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the results were a “monumental step” towards clean power by 2030.
“With these results, Britain is taking back control of our energy sovereignty,” he said. “Clean, homegrown power is the right choice for this country to bring down bills for good, and this auction will create thousands of jobs throughout Britain.”
Awel y Môr will be developed by RWE Renewables and will expand the existing Gwynt y Môr wind farm, one of Europe’s largest.
The project forms part of a wider programme of clean energy development in the Celtic Sea and North Sea.
While the contract provides long-term government backing for the scheme, RWE will still need to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) before construction begins.
This decision, expected after detailed design and financing work, will confirm full funding and a start date for building the wind farm.
The auction also saw new projects confirmed off the east coast of England and in Scotland, including Dogger Bank South, Norfolk Vanguard and Berwick Bank.
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
