Stadtwerke München and Siemens Financial Services have joined RWE in developing the Awel y Môr offshore wind farm by acquiring a 30 per cent and 10 per cent stake in the project, respectively.
RWE, which now holds 60 per cent share of the project, is leading the development of the offshore wind farm on behalf of the project partners.
A seabed lease agreement for the project has now been signed with the Crown Estate, following the authority’s call for extension applications from 2017, which resulted in three RWE’s projects being approved, including an extension to the existing Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm.
“Whilst the project is an extension of the existing Gwynt y Môr Wind Farm it will be progressed on its own merit as a nationally significant infrastructure energy project. Over the coming months, we will start development and planning activities where possible and in line with Government guidance” , said Tamsyn Rowe , Awel y Môr Project Manager.
A full design and consenting process is now in its early stages and is expected to take up to five years. Subject to consenting process and outcome, the wind farm is expected to be fully operational by 2030.
Geophysical surveys at the site, covering some 106 square kilometres off the coast of Wales, have started in June.
The exact size and capacity of the Awel y Môr (meaning Sea Breeze) is still to be determined after the necessary development and consenting activities have finished.