Awel y Môr: Huge North Wales offshore wind farm could expand

Plans to develop one of the biggest wind farms in the world off the coast of Wales are even closer, thanks to a decision by the Crown Estate.

The proposal is to build an offshore farm between Colwyn Bay and Llanfairfechan off the north Wales coast. It’d be close to the Gwynt y Mor wind farm, which lies off the coast of Llandudno with 160 turbines. The proximity of these two sites – with 100-odd turbines in Awel y Mor – means this would ultimately become one of the largest around.

The project involves the Gwynt y Mor developers RWE Renewables with Stadtwerke München and Siemens Financial Services.

Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn, Chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board said it was a great example of partner collaboration and investment: “The energy sector here in North Wales is integral to our economy. This project will further strengthen the region’s status as a leading location for low carbon energy generation.”

The Crown Estate has granted rights to the developers for the seabed between Colwyn Bay and Llanfairfechan. Project manager Tamsyn Rowe said if the project gets full approval it would create up to 100 permanent jobs and as many as 700 would be supported during the construction of the site. They hope it will be operational by 2030: “It’s going to be a really great project and will create lots of green, clean renewable energy.”

The next two years will be spent on public consultations – and there is some distance to go with campaigners. Save Our Scenery described it as an ‘eyesore’ arguing “One of the main things we have to sell is the scenery and to clutter it up is criminal.” John Lawson-Reay said they’d fight the plans. Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders is also in opposition to the plans warning the Eiffel Tower-sized turbines could impact on the local tourism sector: “I’m all for green energy but we need a mix of technologies, not more wind farms. I encourage RWE to wipe the slate clean and come forward with some hydro proposals instead.”

However, the investment in the area is welcome during such a ‘worrying time’ according to Goronwy Edwards, the deputy leader of Conwy Council. And First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “This announcement brings the project a step closer to development and realising both the energy-generating potential of the site, together with the creation of more jobs in the local economy and in the supply chain.”