RWE Innogy UK’s Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm was officially opened today by First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones.  Situated eight miles offshore in Liverpool Bay, Gwynt y Môr is the world’s second largest wind farm and has the capacity to generate 576MW of low carbon electricity through its 160 turbines – enough to power a third of all the households in Wales.

The inauguration was welcomed by Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, Amber Rudd MP, who said: “This offshore wind project will generate enough clean electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes and will support 100 long term, skilled engineering jobs, giving more people the financial security of a regular pay packet.  Gwynt y Môr has a key role to play in our long-term plan to develop a secure energy mix in this country that is diverse and home grown.  There really is no better place in the world to invest in offshore wind.

“With the help of RWE’s £19 million community benefit fund, the development of Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm will make a real difference to local hard-working families, as well as bringing economic and environmental benefits to the north Wales region.”

Gwynt y Mor's 160 turbines can generate enough low carbon electricity for over 400,000 homes

Gwynt y Mor’s 160 turbines can generate enough low carbon electricity for over 400,000 homes

David Clubb, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said: “Wales is blessed with fantastic offshore wind energy resources and Gwynt y Môr is a shining example of how renewable energy can be used to benefit the local economy.  Not only does it leave the legacy of generating clean, green energy for years to come, but it has also created 100 long term jobs at its operations centre, and will invest £19 million into local communities and projects over its operational lifetime.  We should look at this not as the exception, but as the blueprint for other renewable energy schemes in Wales to follow.”