Planning Application for proposed Awel y Mȏr Offshore Windfarm, approximately 10km off the coast of North Wales
In accordance with the provisions of the 1991 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (“the Espoo Convention”), the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage received notification from the UK Planning Inspectorate (“PINS”) in relation to a development consent application (“the planning application”) by Awel y Mȏr Offshore Wind Farm Limited. Awel y Mȏr Offshore Wind Farm is a project being developed by RWE Renewables (RWE) to the west of the existing Gwynt y Mȏr Offshore Wind Farm. It is located approximately 10km off the Welsh coast in the Irish Sea, with maximum total area of 88km and will comprise up to 91 wind turbine generators.
The proposed development will be comprised of (but not limited to): an offshore wind farm, including wind turbine generators and associated foundations, wind measurement equipment and array cables; transmission infrastructure, including offshore substations and associated foundations, offshore and onshore export cables (underground), including associated transition bays and jointing bays, an onshore substation, and connection infrastructure into the National Grid.
The proposed development has been identified as a project within the scope of paragraph 2 of Appendix 1 to the Espoo Convention as implemented by the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (“the EIA Regulations”) (UK legislation).
Consequently, the Secretary of State conducted a transboundary EIA screening. This screening exercise determined that the proposed development may have transboundary environmental impacts in this State. The transboundary issues screened in include impacts on fish and shellfish, marine mammals and sea birds, and commercial shipping. The screening assessment is available at:
A nationwide public consultation will open for submissions on Friday 30th September 2022. A member of the public may make a written submission or observations in relation to the potential transboundary environmental effects of the project, by close of business on Friday 4th November 2022 at the latest. Submissions or observations should be made to[TA(1] :
AwelyMor@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
More information is available here:
Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm | National Infrastructure Planning (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)