PLANS to expand North Wales’ offshore windfarm off the coast of Conwy are set to be submitted next year.
Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm is being planned by RWE Renewables (RWE) about 10.5km off the coast to the west of the existing Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm.
The new collection of wind turbines, expected to be between 51 and 107 depending on their size, would cover an area of 106km2 from Colwyn Bay to Conwy.
The German energy company said its on online consultation received 142 responses, a majority of which supported the plans and 89 per cent said the proposal is “important” or “very important” in meeting Wales’ green energy goals.
RWE has selected the preferred siting of the transmission infrastructure with onshore cables joining the coastland between Rhyl and Prestatyn, passing through Rhuddlan to a substation in Bodelwyddan.
It expects to submit its application to the UK Government's Planning Inspectorate in 2022.
Project manager Tamsyn Rowe said: “I would like to thank each and every one who took the time to view our proposals and take part in the consultation. We were pleased with the passion and enthusiasm for this project’s potential to deliver sustainable jobs locally and meet Wales’s green energy goals.
“The feedback also helped us reach a decision on site selection for the offshore and onshore cable corridors, the landfall and the onshore substation.”
The proposed turbines' maximum rotor diameter will be 300m. Rocks and materials may be placed on the seabed to protect the branched string cables from erosion.
RWE said it will work with landowners and carry out environmental surveys for the transmission route in the coming months.
A further consultation on the environmental impact of the cable corridor and substation is due to take place later this year.
The Gwynt y Môr windfarm, which opened in 2015, created over 700 jobs during construction and about £90 million was spent on Welsh suppliers. A total of 100 long-term jobs are now attached to the site.
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