Celtic Array launches second round of consultation for Rhiannon offshore wind farm, invites residents to public information days
Celtic Array has today (THURSDAY) launched the second round of consultation for the proposed Rhiannon offshore wind farm.
With an estimated capacity of up to 2.2 GW, the Rhiannon wind farm would be located some 19km off the coast of Anglesey and would be capable of producing enough energy to serve the needs of around 1.5 million homes.
The team has been working on an extensive programme of technical studies to inform the development of their proposals for both the offshore wind farm and associated infrastructure alongside the onshore works required to connect Rhiannon to the National Grid. They have also been conducting a variety of environmental surveys in support of the Environmental Impact Assessment that will be included as part of the planning applications later this year.
Rhiannon Development Manager, Kirsty McGuinness, said: “We’re committed to being a good neighbour and are pleased to have made real progress since our last consultation events.
“I’m delighted to be in a position where we can now talk to the community in more detail about how our plans have developed so we can take on board any further views and answer any questions they may have.”
Members of the public are invited to come and find out more about Celtic Array’s proposals at one of the following public information days:
- Llaneilian WI Hall, Llanellian – Monday 31st March, 2 – 7pm
- Oriel Ynys Môn Arts centre and gallery, Llangefni – Tuesday 1st April, 2 – 7pm
- Holyhead Town Hall – Wednesday 2nd April, 12 – 5pm
- Beaumaris Town Hall, Beaumaris – Thursday 3rd April, 2 – 7pm
- Amlwch War Memorial Hall, Amlwch – Friday 4th April, 2 – 7pm
- Rhosybol Community Hall, Rhosybol – Saturday 5th April, 11 – 4pm
- Bangor University Management Centre, Bangor – Monday 7th April, 2 – 7pm
- Venue Cymru Orme Suite, Llandudno – Tuesday 8th April, 1 – 6pm
- Conwy Leisure centre Clwyd Suite – Wednesday 9th April, 2 – 7pm
- Wellington Community Centre, Rhyl – Thursday 10th April, 1 – 6pm
Celtic Array will be joined at some of the events by members of the National Grid team who will be able to answer questions about the proposed onward works required to connect Rhiannon’s onshore substation to the transmission network.
If built, Rhiannon would comprise of up to 440 turbines depending on the model chosen. Additional offshore infrastructure would include up to eight offshore substations and four accommodation platforms.
The wind farm would be connected to Anglesey via undersea export cables to up to four landfall sites at the shoreline. From here, electricity would be transferred to a network of underground cables that would carry the power to a new onshore substation site that is proposed at Rhosgoch.
An offshore wind farm the size of Rhiannon requires a sizeable investment and represents a significant opportunity to the economies of Anglesey, North Wales and the UK as whole. Celtic Array intends to offer local benefits in support of local community projects in the event that Rhiannon is built.
The consultation runs from 20 March to 19 May 2014.
Celtic Array is a joint venture between Centrica and DONG Energy, two of the leading offshore wind developers in the UK.
Enquiries
David Atkinson, External Relations Manager,
David.atkinson2@centrica.com, +44 (0) 7789 575936
Emily Highmore-Talbot, Senior External Relations Manager,
emily.highmoretalbot@centrica.com, +44 (0) 7557 614936