Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the Awel y Môr community benefits package be worth?
The Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm project is not yet in a position any decisions or commitments about the scale or size of the community benefits package,
As we develop our plans we will also be carefully considering the guidance on Community Funds for Transmission Infrastructure that has recently been published by the UK Government’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.
When will any community support from Awel y Môr become available?
Traditionally community support has come online at the same time as the projects themselves become fully operational. The final timeframe at Awel y Môr will not be decided until we have more detail about what the community support will look like and how it will work, however we expect it to be predominantly delivered after the project itself is fully operational.
Publication of guidance on Community Funds for Transmission Infrastructure by the UK government Department of Energy Security and Net Zero is likely to support delivery of some support during the construction period.
Will the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm operate a community fund in a similar way to existing offshore wind farms in Liverpool Bay off the north Wales coast?
As a new project, we are taking the opportunity to think more broadly and see if we can support the local community in a different way. At this early stage there are no pre-determined ideas about how the project could offer support in, or to, the local area, so we are fully open to considering new and innovative ideas as well as more familiar approaches.
Where will the wind farm and its onshore infrastructure be located?
The Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm will be located to the West of the existing Gwynt y Môr wind farm, with the project’s underground cables making landfall between Prestatyn and Rhyl, on their way to a National Grid substation at Bodelwyddan.
Which communities have previously been aided by wind farm community benefits packages in north Wales?
For those looking for support, please contact Community Voluntary Support Conwy.
What did you learn in the 2022 community benefit consultation?
The two-stage consultation commenced with qualitative structured local stakeholder conversations, followed by an online survey where more than 400 local people provided feedback.
The top priorities identified by the community as part of this community benefits consultation were: Local Community; Natural Environment; Training and Employment; and Climate Change.
The majority of respondents also strongly agreed that any benefits package should be led by local people and take a strategic approach across North Wales by taking into account the other support available from renewable energy projects, as well as involving young people specifically in the decision-making.
How else will I be able to share views on how I think Awel y Môr should benefit my local community?
We have followed on from our early-stage consultation with continuing dialogue with a range of stakeholders and individuals about how Awel y Môr can support the local community, throughout the development of the wind farm. We would welcome further comments and suggestions.