The RWE-led Awel y Môr offshore wind farm has completed its first offshore geophysical exploratory works with Fugro GB Marine Ltd taking the helm.
As part of the development of the Awel y Môr wind farm offshore Wales, studies of the seafloor have to be carried out.
These in turn will help inform the final design of the project. This is the first multimillion-pound contract that Awel y Môr has placed.
Works took place during June, July, August, and September 2020 in line with government guidelines. Four dedicated vessels mapped the characteristics of the seabed and bedrock to assess the conditions around the wind farm site and the potential cable locations.
Awel y Môr Project Manager, Tamsyn Rowe , said: “This is a positive first step for the project. We are still in the very early stages of developing the wind farm and the results from this study, which we are now receiving, will inform our Environmental Impact Assessment and final application.”
The project team will complete onshore and offshore studies where safe and possible to do so, RWE said. In November 2020, a virtual public consultation will be held online.
Awel y Môr is a sister project to the operational 576 MW Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm located 13 kilometres off the North Wales coast in Liverpool Bay.
The wind farm is one of the seven extension projects to be awarded a seabed lease agreement by The Crown Estate.
RWE and/or project partners put forward three projects and was successful in all three, including Galloper, Greater Gabbard, and Gwynt y Môr.
RWE is a shareholder in all three projects and is leading on the development of the Galloper and Gwynt y Môr extensions. Greater Gabbard Extension will be a joint RWE and SSE development.
RWE holds a 60 per cent stake in Awel y Môr, Stadtwerke München controls a 30 per cent, and Siemens Financial Services the remaining ten per cent.