Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm
On 3rd December 2008, the Department of Energy and Climate Change granted consent to RWE npower renewables, the UK fully owned subsidiary of RWE Innogy, to build and operate the 750 megawatt (MW) Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of North Wales.
Consent applications for the offshore sections of the wind farm were submitted in November 2005, after which time some additional work was undertaken to clarify the potential environmental effects of the project, and the measures which can be taken to minimise these effects. This additional information was submitted in August 2007 to the Government and other relevant organisations for consideration.
What stage is the Gwynt y Môr project at?
- On 3rd December 2008, consent was granted to RWE npower renewables for the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm under Section 36 of the 1989 Electricity Act. The wind farm has also been granted a licence from the Welsh Assembly Government under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, and another consent from the Marine and Fisheries Agency under the Coast Protection Act 1949.
- The consent applications for the offshore sections of the project were submitted in November 2005.
- Additional studies and surveys were subsequently commissioned by RWE npower renewables in response to questions raised by consultees during the consultation period.
- The information arising from the additional studies and surveys was pulled together in a Supplementary Environmental Information document that was submitted to the Government and other relevant organisations.
- Further detailed assessment of the design of the project was also undertaken by RWE npower renewables' engineers.
- Although the exact details of the project are still being finalised, the applications were made on the basis of clearly defined limits of the development.
- The area within which the turbines would be built has been amended, as have the indicative turbine layouts.
- Subject to successful determination of the remaining grid connection application and all relevant RWE approvals, plus delivery of the appropriate consent conditions, it is currently anticipated that preparation works for the onshore substation and cable route could start later in 2009, while offshore construction works could begin in 2011 with final commissioning expected in 2014.
