A major new offshore wind development in the Irish Sea is set to bring skilled jobs, investment and long-term economic growth to North Wales, according to the Welsh Secretary.
The Awel y Môr offshore wind project, planned for waters off the North Wales coast, has secured a government contract as part of the UK’s latest renewable energy auction, announced on 14 January. The project is being developed by energy company RWE and is seen as a significant step forward for Wales’ clean energy ambitions.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens visited the Port of Mostyn on 22 January, where she met with RWE representatives to discuss plans for the site and the role it could play in strengthening the region’s economy.
Once completed, Awel y Môr is expected to feature up to 50 wind turbines located around 10 kilometres offshore, to the west of the existing Gwynt y Môr wind farm. The development will form one of the largest offshore renewable energy projects in Welsh waters.
Speaking during her visit, Ms Stevens described the project as a major opportunity for North Wales.
She said the development would deliver well-paid, highly skilled jobs while helping to drive economic growth across the region. She also highlighted the UK Government’s commitment to working with investors to expand clean, home-grown energy, improve energy security and reduce household bills over the long term.
“Wales is at the heart of this transition,” she said, adding that projects such as Awel y Môr are crucial to meeting the UK’s clean power targets.
RWE’s project lead for Awel y Môr, Philippa Powell, said the company was pleased to update the Welsh Secretary on its progress following success in the latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction.
She said the coming year would focus on advancing plans towards a final investment decision, with the project forming a key part of RWE’s wider renewable energy portfolio in Wales. This includes onshore wind and solar developments, as well as the Pembroke Net Zero Centre.
Once fully operational, Awel y Môr is expected to generate enough electricity to power more than half of homes across Wales.
The latest CfD auction has been described as the largest single procurement of offshore wind energy in British and European history. In total, it secured 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity — enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of 12 million homes.
The auction is expected to unlock around £22 billion in private investment and support approximately 7,000 jobs across the UK, with Wales set to benefit significantly.
Alongside Awel y Môr, the Erebus offshore wind project in the Celtic Sea off the coast of Pembrokeshire was also successful in securing support, further strengthening Wales’ position as a leader in renewable energy development. Photo by Rosser1954, Wikimedia commons.