Celtic Array has yesterday 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.
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.
Press release, March 21, 2014; Image: centrica