RWE Renewables is currently working on the first phase of the Awel y Môr project. The company completed a similar project in 2015, the Gwynt y Môr project, a 160-turbine project off Llandudno in Conwy. This is one of the UK’s largest offshore wind farms.
In an effort to bring Awel y Môr closer to local people, the company has launched an online exhibition platform so that people can better understand the new wind farm and give their opinions and reviews.
A preliminary report detailing the arrangements and plans has been released detailing potential negative impacts on marine life, birds and ocean currents. Noise generated by the wind farm is also being considered, along with impacts on tourism and conservation.
In the future, the total number of turbines of these two projects could reach 251, at which time Gwynt y Môr combined with Awel y Môr will become one of the largest wind farms in the world.
"Normally we would open a discussion directly with people, but doing that this year is not possible," said Tamsyn Rowe, director of the project.
“We want this consultation to reach as wide a range of people as possible, so I would urge everyone to get involved at this early stage so we can get more feedback before we start developing the project.”
The company calls the Awel y Môr proposals a “once-in-a-decade opportunity for Wales”, and the largest renewable energy scheme planned in the country in the next 10 years.
The public consultation will run until 11 October 2021 and the company plans to submit its application to the Government in 2022. If approved, the scheme could be operational by 2030.
According to RWE, the maximum number of turbines planned for the Awel y Môr project has been reduced from 107 to 91, which will be built between Colwyn Bay and Llanfairfechan over an area of 88 km.2and could reach a height of 332 m. The site would be 10.5 km from the coast, west of the turbines at Gwynt y Môr farm.
