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Awel y Mor - wind farm off Llandudno Bay
dunoonhotel • Nov 25, 2020
Document describing the new wind farm proposal
https://exhibition.awelymor.cymru Link to an exhibition describing the project.
Awell y Mor Windfarm Presentation
by RWE - Helen Thomas/ Paul Carter/Gemal Mekki
Wednesday 18th November 2020
Q and A’s
Q. Are there any social media links available?
A Website https://awelymor.cymru/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rwe-renewables/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/rwerenewables/
Twitter https://twitter.com/RWE_UK
Q What is the nature and scale of the onshore buildings?
A There will be underground cables going to the new substation. The substation will be similar to the Gwynt y Mor substation. There will be a fairly benign impact in the long term
Q The North Wales coastline is vulnerable to global warming and climate change. A tidal lagoon would be of more benefit than a windfarm in the long term
A RWE are not involved in the development of tidal lagoons. However the windfarm scheme would not restrict any future tidal development. The timescale for the tidal lagoon is longer and it would probably not become a reality before the end of the decade
Q When Gwynt y Mor was first launched the artist impressions of the bay showing the windfarms was misleading. There were not enough photographs looking out to Llandudno Bay. This led to a loss of public support. Will there be a greater range of images for Awel y Mor?
A An important part of the project is the Environmental Impact Assessment. This is a very rigorous process with plans scrutinised in detail re. assessments and mitigation.
Expert topic groups are consulted, particularly regarding the seascape and landscape visual impact assessment process. The environmental impact assessment process is tightly regulated with clear guidelines. This includes choice of viewpoints which will be agreed to represent different areas of the coast
There is engagement with local stakeholders to agree clear viewpoints for photo montages. The approach is never to have obscuring views.
Technical leads and stakeholders have put forward 40-50 viewpoints during scoping. This has been expanded to 59. A further 10 are under consideration and take into consideration the tourism component and historic environment (would it impede historic impact). Information will be put forward for stakeholder and public consultation.
Q Will the public consultation have any impact on the project going ahead?
A The project needs to show that there is a net benefit against the national policy statements that the government have put forward for offshore wind. This is a high bar to reach and projects have failed to receive consent.
RWE have chosen to undertake a public consultation prior to the formal consultation in order to inform the project. RWE consider public consultation to be a critical part of the process. The Planning Inspectorate take public views very seriously. It is not a given that the project is awarded consent.
A formal consultation will take place next year. This will then go into an examination where anyone can make representation to the Planning Inspectorate and make their views known.
This will all feed into the Planning Inspectorate recommendations to the Secretary of State as to whether the project goes ahead.
A new planning process was brought in in 2008, after Gwynt y Mor was completed. This is the first project in Welsh waters and Liverpool Bay that has gone through this process.
Q Local people worry that the turbines will be overbearing and spoil the view from the bay. This could have a detrimental effect on tourism particularly in Llandudno which is a busy tourist resort
A The Planning Inspectorate have asked that nature and scale of the offshore structures be considered. There are two scenarios i.e. taller turbines meaning fewer numbers, or shorter turbines meaning higher numbers. This is being discussed with the stakeholders under the evidence plan process. Over the next 3-4 months hoping to bring forward further consideration of the viewpoints and agree the maximum design scenario that will be carried through the environmental impact assessment. At each stage along the way this will be put forward to public and stakeholder consultation
Q If the windfarm goes ahead and there is a negative impact on tourism it will be too late for the beautiful resort of Llandudno
A RWE recognise the importance of engaging with the community, both formally and informally. All views are taken very seriously. There needs to be a balance between renewable energy and sensitivity around potential sites. People need to be encouraged to come forward with their concerns. Need to think innovatively on promoting the positive impact of the windfarm.
Q The vast majority of the town’s historic commercial properties are probably wasting 80% of the energy being consumed. This is because they are listed or badly insulated. The onshore effect to them is almost negligible. Everyone else is benefiting but Llandudno is losing visually
A RWE are interested in gathering information on positive and negative of the visual impact on the area. RWE would be interested in opportunities to enhance tourism and would welcome any data or research sources to guide their work in relation to this project
Q Could Community Benefit Fund be more targeted to offset the detrimental effect to tourism e.g. helping businesses to be more energy efficient, installing electrical car charging points, supporting event venues.
A RWE are keen to understand what the local community want to focus the fund on. RWE have a say in the scope and direction of the fund but are not involved in the decision making. It is early days for Community Benefit Fund decisions but RWE will note the comments. RWE would welcome a conversation at some point in the future.
Q What will be the noise impact during construction? Will there be any compensation for businesses who may be affected?
A Offshore piling may have an impact. However, there have been changes in how turbines are installed in order to lessen noise. It will depend on what type of technology is used. There will be fewer turbines as they are more efficient that previously. Any noise impact onshore will be temporary whilst cables are being laid. The onshore cable route has not been decided yet. RWE will be following relevant guidelines and mitigating in the appropriate way.
If you have any further questions please contact Helen Thomas on
helen.thomas@rwe.com
The link to the online consultation is https://awelymor.cymru/
The consultation closes on the 30th November 2020
RWE will update the Destination Conwy group with any developments.
A future meeting can be arranged if requested.
RWE Renewables in the UK
RWE - Renewables in the UK
• Operate across: Offshore wind, Onshore wind (hydro & biomass)
• 9 offshore wind farms including: London Array, Humber Gateway, Rampion, Robin
Rigg, Greater Gabbard, Galloper
• 4 extension projects (to Gwynt y Môr, Galloper, Greater Gabbard, Rampion)
• 36 onshore wind farms
• 25 hydro sites
RWE Renewables in Wales:
• Produce 1/3 of Wales’ renewable electricity (550k homes)
• 315 permanent employees across 4 offices in Wales (more indirectly)
• Operate 3 offshore wind farms off North Wales coast:
• Gwynt y Môr, 576MW
• Rhyl Flats, 90MW
• North Hoyle, 60MW
• Awel y Môr (Gwynt y Môr extension)
Agenda for today’s session
• Introduction to Awel y Môr
• Current project status
• Timelines
• Work undertaken to date
• Tourism & Socio-economic considerations
• Supply Chain: The Offshore Energy Alliance
• Q&A / general discussion
• To include: Seascape & Landscape (visual) considerations
• Impacts & opportunities for tourism
Project Introduction
•
•
Project details
Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm (formerly known as Gwynt y Môr
Offshore Wind Farm Extension).
Both projects developed by RWE Renewables (previously innogy)
• Awarded development rights through The Crown Estate’s Extension projects (2017) in August 2019.
• Further information: www.awelymor.cymru
• The project is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and therefore requires a Development Consent Order (DCO) via UK Government. Being in Welsh waters, it will also require a separate Marine Licence via Natural Resource Wales.
AyM GyM GyM
Awel y Môr – site characteristics
Location:
• 11km north of Llandudno and 10km off the Welsh coast in the Irish Sea
• West of existing Gwynt y Môr Wind Farm Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs):
• Unconfirmed but, at time of construction, 12-22MW turbines possible
Foundation types:
• All types being considered Extension area:
• 106km2
Grid connection point:
• Bodelwyddan
Shareholders / project owners: • Similar to Gwynt y Môr
Project Programme
Indicative timeline
Summer 2019
• The Crown Estate concludes Habitats Assessment for Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm
• The Crown Estate announces Agreement for Lease (AfL) for extension projects
a
Autumn 2019 – Spring 2020
• Innogy (RWE) agrees AfL for Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm
a
Autumn 2019 – 2022
Progress EIA phase, site selection & design development, including stakeholder and community engagement. Included:
• EIA Scoping Report shared with stakeholders 11 May, formal PINS
(Scoping process ran 12 June to 12 July 2020)
• Site Selection process for EIA – ETG consultation completed June
2020
2022
Development Consent Order (DCO) / Marine Licence (ML) applications submitted to PINS / NRW respectively
2023- 2024
Decisions on the DCO & ML
2030
Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm operational by 2030
Project update
Onshore
• EIA Scoping completed
• Public Engagement
Days: November-
December 2020
• Consultation on
transmission system alternatives - virtual engagement via: www.awelymor.cymru
• PEIR submission planned for August 2021
•
•
•
UK Habitat surveys ongoing
Wintering birds surveys started November Landowner engagement ongoing
Offshore
• Benthic survey complete
• Beach drone survey complete
• Geophysical survey complete
• First year of offshore aerial bird surveys complete; 2nd year underway
Stakeholder engagement
Awel y Môr – Evidence Plan Process
Offshore Ornithology
Marine Mammals
• Expert Topic Groups in these areas
• Statutory Consultees & others
involved in each
• Other ongoing non-statutory engagement
• Public Engagement process was due in April / May 2020 (postponed due to COVID-19
• Now live: 3 November – 13 December 2020
Benthic, Fish, Shellfish Ecology
Physical Processes, Sediment Quality etc
Onshore Ecology & Hydrology
Archaeology & Cultural heritage
Shipping & Navigation
Civil Aviation & Military Defence
Commercial Fisheries
Traffic & Transport, Air Quality, Noise
Health & Socio-economics
Tourism & Recreation
Seascape & Landscape
Flood Risk, Water Quality
Have your say...
Plans to develop Awel y Môr, sister project to Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of North Wales, are progressing. The team invites you to explore our plans to date and welcomes your feedback at this early project stage.
This informal consultation will largely take place in a virtual online manner and will be live on the project website until 13 December: www.awelymor.cymru
You can also get in touch via email: awelymor@rwe.com and telephone 0800 197 8232 (during office hours); or instant message the team directly online via the virtual consultation platform on Friday (10am- 6pm) and Saturday (10am – 1pm), 13-14 and 27 – 28 November.
The consultation will introduce the project and seek feedback on our proposed:
• Onshore infrastructure
• landfall locations (where the offshore cables meet the land)
• onshore cable routes
• onshore substation locations
• Offshore infrastructure
• All other project considerations
As one of the cleanest forms of energy generation, offshore wind projects like Awel y Môr have a key role in reducing carbon emissions, creating job opportunities and helping Wales meet its renewable energy targets. For more information, please contact us at: awelymor@rwe.com
www.awelymor.cymru awelymor@rwe.com
Dweud eich dweud...
www.awelymor.cymru awelymor@rwe.com
The Scoping Report
Scoping Study Update
Scoping Study issued for comment May – July 2020:
• What is the Scoping Study?
• Helps refine the Environmental Impact Assessment;
• Identify Likely Significant Effects;
• Agree what can be scoped out from the EIA; and
• Agree the scope and methods of subsequent surveys/analyses/assessments.
➢ Informal process took place (extended consultation period due to Covid-19: 11 May – 5 June)
➢ Formal Planning Inspectorate (PINS)-led process: – 8 June – 6 July
Next steps for the environmental assessment
• Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) work commenced September 2020 onwards.
• Following selection of preferred route(s) and sub-station location(s), the scope of the EIA will be refined further.
• Discuss and agree refinement and more detailed assessment methodologies as necessary through the Evidence Plan process.
Site selection update
Offshore – shortlist refinement
• Three offshore cable routes retained
• Fan optionality at array retained
• Cable routes refined to approx. 1km retaining additional flexibility where required
• Geophysical and benthic surveys completing soon
Shortlisting Outcomes Report issued to stakeholders 10 September
Onshore cable
– shortlist refinement
• Retained existing three landfalls from previous consultation
• Identified a preferred onshore cable corridor from each landfall
• Refined each cable corridor to a 100m width (retaining flexibility in areas requiring further investigation)
Onshore substation – shortlist refinement
• Three potential onshore substation zones retained as preferred options
• Onshore cable routes within the substation zone developed
Next steps
• Virtual public consultation on the project as a whole, including on alternative options for the transmission infrastructure – November - December 2020
• Selection of single preferred offshore cable route, landfall, onshore cable route & substation location – Q1 2021 (with access on final selected options only)
• Identification of temporary construction compounds and access points for ETG consultation - Q1 2021
Tourism & Recreation, Socio Economics
Tourism & Recreation, Socio Economics
Study Areas for EIA
• Tourism & Recreation
• Local Study Area – Denbighshire & Conwy
• Wider Study Area – 50km area from offshore arrays • Socio-economics
• North Wales (Conwy, Denbighshire, Anglesey, Flintshire, Wrexham)
• Wales
Will also look at more fine grain detail where appropriate for both assessments, particularly near physical infrastructure
Tourism & Recreation, Socio Economics
Methodology
• Tourism & Recreation
• The assessment will include both: a) visual impact of offshore infrastructure on local tourism economy; and b) impacts of infrastructure on tourism activity at landfall and along the cable route) and will draw on a range of sources and include the following tasks:
• Review of tourism hotspots, businesses, activities and assets locally and their potential to be impacted by the development
• The assessment of other effects (Visual, Traffic, noise etc.) and how this relates to tourism assets identified
• Review of evidence on the past impacts of offshore wind development on tourism assets locally, nationally and internationally
• Use of Welsh Government’s tourism impact framework (including understanding the nature of the tourism offer, nature of the visitors and the details of the planned infrastructure)
• Socio-economics
• This will assess the direct and supply chain employment and economic activity impacts (including opportunities for the tourism sector) as well as impacts on local health provision
Tourism & Recreation, Socio Economics
Next Steps and Timescales
• Tourism & Recreation Analysis (Jan 2021 – March 2021)
• Consultation with local economic development officers
• Policy reviews
• Consultation with:
• Local authorities, NRW & Local Access Forums;
• Special interest groups, including coastal user groups.
• Walkover survey
• Data analysis
• Socio-economics Analysis (Jan 2021 – March 2021)
• Consultation with local economic development officers to confirm method
• Internal consultations on likely patterns of expenditure and workforce requirements as well as sourcing arrangements
• Baseline Assessment
• Preliminary Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) Preparation (April-May 2021)
Gwynt y Môr Community Benefit Fund – examples
Gwynt y Môr Community Benefit Fund
In addition to providing clean, green, affordable energy the Gwynt y Môr Wind Farm has established a Community Fund to support the sustainable development of North Wales. The Fund will invest over £19 million across North Wales over the wind farm lifetime (25 years) and focuses on the themes of:
1. Building strong and sustainable communities
2. Developing prosperous communities with strong economic growth
3. Reducing poverty and inequality in communities
A one-off tourism fund of £690,000 was also delivered during the construction of the project to help:
❖ Make major improvements to the Victorian pier at Llandudno
❖ Replacement of the slipway onto Llandudno Beach (National Championships and small lifeboats)
❖ Kick-started the Green Links Project to promote walking and cycling opportunities, nature reserves
and other attractions between Llandudno and Prestatyn.
❖ Contributed to the re-development of Rhyl Harbour. Gwynt y Môr also provided practical support
by providing a specialist vessel to help.
❖ The Gwynt y Môr Community Fund has also awarded a £570,000 donation to the RNLI in North Wales for a rescue support vehicle.
❖ Covid-19: the Fund has more recently supported over 40 local groups including: supporting food banks, meals for NHS staff and children and their families in numerous ways.
❖ Rhyl Flats Community Fund: Gwrych Castle - The trust was awarded £10,000 in 2018 towards the replacement of the coach house slate roof, securing a further £5,870 of match funding.
Supply Chain & Skills Engagement
The North West & North Wales Offshore Supply Chain Cluster
#OffshoreEnergyAlliance
Background – The Offshore Wind Sector Deal
IDEAS
Cutting edge innovation
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT A globally leading supply chain
The Offshore Wind Sector Deal – published 7 March 2019
PEOPLE Creating a highly skilled workforce
PLACES Transforming coastal communities
INFRASTRUCTURE Affordable clean growth
Sector Deal Commitments 40GW by 2030
IDEAS
• Offshore Wind Growth Partnership fund (OWGP) of £250m to help develop R&D and supply chain
• Co-funding of innovation to create new IP
• Technical advancement to continue cost reduction
• Newtechnologies
• System Integration measures to manage variability
PEOPLE
• ~27,000skilledjobsby2030
• New skills model to track and report workforce data
• Actionstoincreaseequalityintheindustryfrom16% to 33%
• Increased training and mobility from other sectors
• Collaboration with universities on R&D
INFRASTRUCTURE
• ~£40bn investment into infrastructure & clean energy.
• Creating a pan government / industry program to addressing strategic barriers such as aviation, offshore transmission and cumulative environmental impacts
• Newseabedleasesensuringasustainablepipelineof
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
PLACES
projects through the 2020s and into the 2030s.
• Auctionsfor30GWby2030
• Target of 60% UK content
• Support to access global market, aim for a fivefold increase in exports to £2.6bn p.a.
• Independentreviewofsupplychainrequirements
• HelpingcoastalcommunitiesprosperacrosstheUK, including economic benefits and growth
• Creation / development of regional clusters • Stir up local supply chains – highlight opportunities
• Engagewithandlearnfromexistingregionalclusters
Why Offshore Wind? A sea of opportunity...
• Existing Wind Farms :
• 12 Offshore Windfarms in the region
• 1/3 of current UK offshore wind capacity
• Approximate spend on O&M annually = £200 million
• Ongoing operational needs and grid connections
• Decommissioning in due course
• Other UK Offshore Wind Farms - construction & operations
• Government Support creates business opportunities:
• Additional 2GW per year in 2020s (40GW by 2030)
• £557m budget to support a CfD auction every 2 years from May 2019 • 16GW of new capacity ~20% of UK power
• Offshore Wind Extension Projects:
• “Extensions” to existing wind farms – development phase starts in 2019, construction from 2024
(e.g. Awel y Môr)
• 3.4GW of UK offshore wind farm extensions could create new capacity
• Crown Estate Leasing Round 4:
• At least 7GW of potential new sites
• Development phase starts 2019/20, construction from 2025 • Deployment of Floating Wind
The Opportunity: The Crown Estate Round 4 Offshore Wind
More offshore wind opportunities in the region to come...
Cluster concept & deliverables
• Offshore wind clusters have naturally occurred as OSW projects have developed
• Offshore wind clusters drive & deliver...
Seed → Developing
Developing → Established
• Competition
• Economies of scale
• Productivity
• Knowledge
• Innovation
• Business opportunities • Inward investment
• Employment
• Growth in the local
economy
• Global export potential
The Offshore Energy Alliance – key regional parties (so far!)
Industry e.g. Developers, Tier One
Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local government
SMEs
Education & Training
Innovation Support
Funding
Infrastructure
...+others
‘The OEA is a cross-sectoral, cross-regional alliance which acts as a virtual ‘umbrella’ organisation to bring together key parties (existing and new) from across the North West and North Wales for the benefit of local businesses and others. It will raise awareness of opportunities in the offshore wind and broader offshore and energy environments with an end goal of achieving prosperous coastal communities.’
Offshore Energy Alliance - Aims & Activities:
• Raise awareness to local businesses of:
• Upcoming opportunities in a timely way
• Breadth and type of services and components
• Cross-sectoral opportunities:
• Offshore wind, floating wind, hydrogen, tidal
• Maritime, infrastructure, ports
• Transferable business needs - Oil & Gas, Nuclear
• Local, regional, national, global opportunities
• ‘Fly the flag’ for the region in a collaborative way:
• Cross-regional approach has benefits – stronger together
• Presence at national and local conferences
• Region increasingly well-known for offshore wind capability
• Activities & Webinars:
• Facilitate interactions & discussions - across a range of technologies & themes
• Recent Floating Wind webinar 250+ registrations
• Supply Chain Mapping – draw existing sources together
• Business Glossary – showcase what the region has to offer (any gaps?)
• Awareness of the industry and challenges – feeds innovation
• Looking ahead: skills pipeline
RWE Renewables & Coleg Llandrillo – a partnership
• Long historic relationship with Coleg Llandrillo since the earliest wind farms in North Wales – wind turbine apprenticeship training programme
• 30+ apprentices now successfully trained
• 8 more recruited this year
• Recently announced (2020) a pilot to make Coleg Llandrillo our national training
hub; encouraging other developers to join too
• Supporting development of the brand new engineering centre at Coleg Llandrillo
Nathan Jones who underwent the apprenticeship programme and is now working as a full-time technician at Gwynt y Môr said: ”I'd really recommend people to apply. This course has been life-changing for me. I've learnt so much and grown as an individual. It's not a walk in the park by any means but if you are willing to really knuckle down and are able to be away from home for lengthy periods, the end goal is so worth it”.
“The hard work and dedication of a North Wales wind turbine apprentice was recently rewarded, when a second year innogy apprentice at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai scooped this year's prestigious 'Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Most Improved Apprentice' award (Merseyside and North Wales).”
Jake is now working for innogy on their Galloper Wind Farm off the east coast of England. All of Jake's fellow apprentices in his year have secured jobs within the industry.
Thank you
www.awelymor.co.uk
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