RWE Renewables UK has secured an agreement for lease with The Crown Estate for the Awel y Mor extension to the operational 576MW Gwynt y Mor offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea.
The company also announced that Stadtwerke Munchen and Siemens’ financing arm Siemens Financial Services are partnering on the project with 30% and 10% shares, respectively.
The Awel y Mor lease covers 106 square km to the west of Gwynt y Mor, RWE said.
It added that the project is in the early stages of development.
Awel y Mor project manager Tamsyn Rowe said: “We built North Hoyle off the coast of Wales which was the UK’s first large scale offshore wind farm, and later developed and built Rhyl Flats.
“RWE has also successfully built and now operates the £2bn Gwynt y Mor offshore wind farm which supports over 100 local jobs.
“We are now excited to be working on its sister project, Awel y Mor which could not only support the UK’s target to bring greenhouse gases to net zero but also create significant supply chain opportunities and help boost the Welsh economy.
“Whilst the project is an extension of the existing Gwynt y Mor 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.”
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “I was very pleased to learn about the plans for Awel y Mor offshore wind farm when I had the opportunity to visit Gwynt y Mor last year.
“This announcement brings the project a step closer to development and realising both the energy-generating potential of the site, together with the creation of more jobs in the local economy and in the supply chain.”