March 13, 2026 - 291 views
Major offshore wind projects off the North Wales coast are moving a step closer to reality as the Welsh Government outlined progress on its long-term plans to expand renewable energy generation in Welsh waters.
In an update on the government’s Offshore Wind Action Plan, Economy and Energy Secretary Rebecca Evans confirmed that two projects in Welsh waters have recently secured UK Government financial backing through the Contracts for Difference scheme.
One of the most significant for North Wales is the proposed 755-megawatt Awel y Môr offshore wind farm, being developed by RWE off the coast near Llandudno. The project would be located next to the existing Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm and is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power hundreds of thousands of homes once operational.
Another project to receive support is the 100-megawatt Erebus floating wind project in the Celtic Sea, developed by Blue Gem Wind, which the Welsh Government says highlights the growing role of new deep-water wind technologies in the UK’s renewable energy mix.
The Welsh Government said the developments represent a “step-change” in Wales’ ability to generate clean electricity from offshore wind and underline the importance of pushing forward with the Offshore Wind Action Plan.
North Wales is already home to some of the UK’s largest offshore wind developments. Projects such as Rhyl Flats Wind Farm and Gwynt y Môr have helped establish the region as a key centre for offshore renewable energy, supporting jobs in ports, engineering and maintenance.
Future projects are also being explored in the Irish Sea, including the large-scale Mona offshore wind project proposed by a joint venture between bp and JERA. The development, which could generate up to 1.5 gigawatts of electricity, would be located off the North Wales coast and could become one of the biggest wind farms in the region.
The Welsh Government says attracting supply chain investment and building the necessary infrastructure will be critical if Wales is to benefit fully from the growth of the offshore wind sector.
As part of those efforts, ministers have been promoting a Welsh Ports Prospectus aimed at encouraging investment in port facilities that could support turbine assembly, construction and maintenance work linked to future wind farms.
Officials are also working with organisations including The Crown Estate, which manages the seabed around the UK, as well as Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund to attract funding for port infrastructure and supply chain development.
New training and skills initiatives are also being developed to prepare the workforce needed for the expanding sector. In North Wales, Coleg Llandrillo Menai is already delivering apprenticeships linked to the offshore wind industry, helping train technicians and engineers for roles in turbine maintenance and marine energy.
The Welsh Government has also increased funding for Natural Resources Wales to support marine licensing and speed up the consenting process for offshore wind projects, while environmental compensation measures are being developed to ensure marine habitats are protected.
Evans said long-term confidence in the offshore wind market would be essential if Wales is to secure high-value manufacturing and employment opportunities linked to the industry.
She said that ensuring projects reach the final investment stage would help unlock major economic benefits for Wales, including new supply chain businesses, investment in ports and the creation of skilled jobs across coastal communities.
Ministers say the action plan is designed to ensure Wales captures as much value as possible from the rapidly growing offshore wind sector while helping the country meet its renewable energy and climate targets.
