WORK begins next month on a massive wind farm off the North Wales coast.
The construction of Gwynt y Môr wind farm, which will be visible from Rhyl, will be one of Europe’s largest turbine developments when completed in 2014.
The RWE npower project, which has already seen preparation work for cabling take place at Kinmel Bay, will see the construction of 160 turbines.
Toby Edmonds, Gwynt y Môr project director, said: “The start of offshore construction activity is an important milestone in the construction of Gwynt y Mor.
This phase of construction includes the preparation of the seabed through a process called “scour protection”, where specially sourced rock is strategically placed on the seabed beneath the steel monopiles to protect it from erosion.
A contract to provide scour protection was awarded to the company Tideway BV, which will provide the specialist Fall Pipe vessel, the Rollingstone.
This craft has a loading capacity of approximately 11,500 tons and will transport and place the rock in depths of up to 28 metres.
Mr Edmonds said: “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.
“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 first 11 foundation sites will receive scour protection during January and February.
The work will eventually provide firm footing for 70 of the turbines, as the other 90 turbine sites are in areas of more stable seabed.
RWE npower renewables has set up a project information line for people to call: 0845 0260587.
nAbout £19 million is still up for grabs as part of the Gwynt y Môr community benefit fund.
Community groups and residents have until February 13 to help decide how the fund should be run, who should benefit, what area it should cover and more.
For details, visit www.gwyntymor-consultation.com.