First fencing installed at Awel y Môr’s proposed substation site

• Great Crested Newt fencing installed as project development continues
• Fencing enables team to ensure site is clear of any members of this protected species
• Newts have been moved to a habitat area created within the proposed onshore substation site where they can continue to thrive

The first fencing has been installed at the proposed future site of the onshore substation for the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, which is set to be one of the largest renewable energy developments in Wales this decade.

The fencing will enable the project team to carry out one of its key duties of safeguarding any protected species during development, in this case, Great Crested Newts; as required under the project’s Development Consent Order and UK environmental laws.

Traps, known as pitfall traps, were installed in hedgerows at the edge of the fields. These were then regularly checked, and any newts found then transferred to a separate habitat area created within the onshore substation site.

The work, which required a licence from Natural Resources Wales, was carried out by SLR and north Wales-based Enfys Ecology, as part of the offshore wind farm’s ongoing development.
The development of Awel y Môr is being led on behalf of partners by RWE, the UK’s leading energy generator.

Jo Pickard, Senior Consents Manager for RWE, said: “Projects like Awel y Môr are a key route to decarbonising the energy industry and combatting climate change, so ensuring we’re also safeguarding protected species like Great Crested Newts is something we take very seriously.
“Although newts will spend the coldest winter months hibernating, once they’re up and active, they like to hunt invertebrates in tussocky grassland, marshes and near ponds. By preparing a parcel of land within the proposed construction site to provide a suitable newt habitat, we can ensure our intended development activity has no long-term negative effect on this species.
“With the area now clear, we will be able to plan towards construction at a later date.”

Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm will generate renewable power equivalent to the needs of more than half the homes in Wales.

The development of Awel y Môr is being led by RWE on behalf of its project partners SWM and Siemens Financial Services.

RWE currently employs around 350 staff in Wales, spread between sites at Port of Mostyn, Dolgarrog, Baglan, Llandarcy and Pembroke.

In addition to offshore wind, RWE is also developing five wind projects onshore including the proposed 184MW Carnedd Wen Wind Farm, and also the Craig y Perthu solar farm near Newport.