The RWE team developing the Awel y Môr offshore wind farm in Wales has forecast that the construction alone will create or protect around 2000 jobs across the supply chain.
The 1.1GW wind farm, which will have up to 50 turbines, is the largest renewable energy project in Wales.
Subject to securing a financial investment decision and a pathway to market through a future Contracts for Difference auction, Awel y Môr would be built 10.5km off the north Wales coast, west of the existing Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm (pictured).
Once installed, it would be able to generate power equivalent to more than half of homes in Wales each year.
RWE’s forecast predicts what the potential annual job requirements would be for each individual construction phase.
The predictions are supported by data from more than a dozen offshore wind farm projects delivered by RWE, which is developing the Awel y Môr wind farm on behalf of project partners Stadtwerke München and Siemens Financial Services.
RWE’s senior consents manager Jo Pickard said: “Delivering infrastructure of this size requires years of planning work, and ensuring that people with the necessary skills are available is a vital part of the process.
“We have been working closely with Careers Wales and North Wales Ambition, as well as the cross-border regional sector body, the Offshore Energy Alliance.
“As a result, the project will provide clean energy to hundreds of thousands of homes, as well as sustainable careers in north Wales.”
The team predicts that around 2000 jobs could be created or maintained across the supply chain during construction, with a potentially significant proportion located in north Wales and the UK.
A further 50 jobs could be created directly with RWE at the site itself. Among these, the project envisages that up to 200 installation technicians would be required during the busiest phase of construction.
They will need to have skills suitable for working on aspects such as laying foundations, commissioning turbine generators, and joining high-voltage cables, both on land and at sea.
Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “The Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm is an important milestone in our journey towards a greener and more sustainable Wales – putting us at the forefront of the green industrial revolution.
“This project is helping us to meet our ambitious climate targets, as well as delivering economic benefits by providing high-quality skilled jobs in north Wales.
“We will continue to work with RWE to ensure we maximise the benefits for our local communities.”