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Construction work will begin next year on one of the largest offshore windfarms
in the world, an energy firm has announced.
The 2bn Gwynt y Mor windfarm will have 160 wind turbines around 10 miles off
the north Wales coast near Colwyn Bay and Llandudno.
The RWE Innogy-led project is expected to be completed in 2014.
The project was opposed by some people in Llandudno who claimed it would
destroy the resort's views out to sea.
The government's decision to grant planning permission was criticised by
protesters who also said wind energy was unreliable.
Details of the Gwynt y Mor project were announced on Friday.
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In Wales we are ideally located to embrace the economic benefits of green
technologies.
Cheryl Gillan Welsh Secretary
It is claimed some 1,000 jobs could be created in relation to construction and
the supply of components.
Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan said: "This is excellent news. Gwynt y M r will
be one of the single biggest private investment projects ever seen in Wales,
creating up to 1,000 quality jobs and contributing many millions of pounds to
the regional economy of north Wales.
"It will also become one of the largest offshore windfarm projects in Europe,
able to provide enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of
around 400,000 homes.
"In Wales we are ideally located to embrace the economic benefits of green
technologies.
"Surrounded by wind, wave and tidal resources, we are in a prime position to be
able to benefit from investment in the green economy whilst making a
significant contribution to the [UK] government's carbon reduction targets
through safe, clean renewable means."
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The windfarm has already been given permission by the UK Government.
The announcement confirmed that contracts worth 2.2m have already been awarded
to companies in Wales.
Further contracts and jobs are due to be awarded as the project develops with
the expectation that jobs will also be created to support the operation and
maintenance of the windfarm.
But opponent John Lawson-Reay, chairman of Save our Scenery, is doubtful about
how many jobs will be created in Wales.
Mr Lawson-Reay said Germany and the Netherlands would benefit the most.
He said: "Three German companies are doing it. Yes, there will be a few jobs.
They will get Dutch people in to operate the rigs.
"There will be a few jobs in Mostyn where they're handling the equipment but as
far as this part of the world is concerned, you can forget it.
Come of age
"There's no prospect of us in this particular area getting anything out of
this."
Work will start towards the end of next year and the the windfarm is planned to
generate electricity from 2013, although it will not be completed until 2014.
The project will involve three partners: RWE Innogy, Stadtwerke M nchen and
Siemens.
UK Secretary of State for Energy Chris Huhne said: "This is the first of what I
hope will be many examples of how we can make the most of our island's huge
renewable energy potential.
"I want to make sure we grab all the opportunities the rapidly expanding
renewables industry has to offer, and that wind power can come of age under
this government."
RWE has invested in other windfarms off the north Wales coast such as North
Hoyle and Rhyl Flats.
Rhyl Flats, which was officially opened at the end of last year, is currently
Wales' largest wind farm.