WORK on a planned windfarm eight miles off the coast of Llandudno is set to begin.
RWE npower renewables, the company behind the planned 160 turbine Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm in Liverpool Bay, has said preparation of the seabed will take place during a two week period in January and February.
The process, known as placing ‘scour protection’, will see fist sized rocks strategically placed on the seabed to secure 70 turbines.
The work will be carried out by contractor Tideway BV and the remaining 90 turbines will be placed in areas of more stable seabed sediment.
Project director Toby Edmonds said the start of offshore construction represented “an important milestone”.
“Tideway BV is an international offshore contractor and is based in Netherlands operating out of Barrow, and has an accomplished track record in scour protection installation works,” he said.
“Its vessels are specially designed to place rock onto the seabed, so ensuring the areas around the location of our turbine foundations get the protection they need.
“Tideway BV has been contracted by Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm Limited to carry out the work at intervals over the next 20 months.”
The Gwynt y Môr project, which will take two years to complete, is the biggest wind farm project in Europe and will be able to provide power to around 400,000 homes.
Onshore work has already begun at a planned substation near St Asaph, which will be connected to the turbines via seven miles of underground cable running to Pensarn.
RWE npower renewables has set up a project information line on 0845 026 0587 for those who have queries about the construction.