Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho, in accordance with the recommendation of the Planning Inspectorate, has granted a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm.
This approval allows for the construction of up to 50 wind turbine generators and all the associated infrastructure required for transmitting the generated electricity to an onshore substation. Subsequently, the electricity will be directed to the existing National Grid Bodelwyddan substation. The DCO also encompasses the infrastructure necessary for constructing, operating, and maintaining the wind farm, which is projected to have a capacity exceeding 350 megawatts (MW).
Situated approximately 10.5 kilometers off the northeast coast of Wales near Llandudno, the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm is a sister project to the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm. The application for this project was submitted on April 14, 2022.
During the evaluation process, the Planning Inspectorate, serving as the examining authority, conducted a thorough assessment of several key aspects of the project. This included an examination of the impact on offshore ornithology, with a conclusion that the ornithological surveys and methods proposed met the requirements of NPS EN-3. Importantly, they determined that there would be no significant adverse effects on the breeding seabird features of Pen-y-Gogarth/Great Orme’s Head SSSI.
Overall, the Secretary of State considers that the benefits of the scheme outweigh its adverse impacts and that development consent should be granted for the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, stating:
"The Secretary of State does not believe that the national need for the proposed development as set out in the relevant NPSs is outweighed by the development’s potential adverse impacts, as mitigated by the proposed terms of the order".
"The Secretary of State has therefore decided to accept the [examining authority's] recommendation to consent".
