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Giant wind farm gets the go-ahead Giant wind farm gets the go-ahead
(about 2 hours later)
The world's second largest offshore wind farm has been approved to be built off the coast of north Wales. One of the largest offshore wind farm's in the world has been approved to be built off the coast of north Wales.
The 250 turbines of Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm will be built eight miles off the coast, 10 miles away from Llandudno, Conwy.The 250 turbines of Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm will be built eight miles off the coast, 10 miles away from Llandudno, Conwy.
Gwynt y Môr, combined with three other nearby wind farms, will provide enough green electricity to power the equivalent of 680,000 homes.Gwynt y Môr, combined with three other nearby wind farms, will provide enough green electricity to power the equivalent of 680,000 homes.
It has been approved by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).It has been approved by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).
The wind farm will start to produce power from 2012, subject to consent for onshore electricity works.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said the 750MW development by Npower Renewables Ltd will create a "powerhouse for renewable energy" off the north Wales coast.Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said the 750MW development by Npower Renewables Ltd will create a "powerhouse for renewable energy" off the north Wales coast.
"The UK must clean up its energy supply to fight the damaging effects of climate change and more wind power will help us do this," he said. It will also set us well on our way towards reaching our 2020 renewable energy targets British Wind Energy Association spokesperson "The UK must clean up its energy supply to fight the damaging effects of climate change and more wind power will help us do this," he said.
It will also set us well on our way towards reaching our 2020 renewable energy targets British Wind Energy Association spokesperson
"The UK is leading the world in offshore wind, and the developments off the coast of north Wales will help keep us front runners.""The UK is leading the world in offshore wind, and the developments off the coast of north Wales will help keep us front runners."
In granting approval, DECC took into account both the distance of the development from the shore and work Npower Renewables Ltd had done to minimise the visual impact.In granting approval, DECC took into account both the distance of the development from the shore and work Npower Renewables Ltd had done to minimise the visual impact.
A spokesperson for the British Wind Energy Association said the development was "fantastic news", adding: "Gwynt y Môr is a landmark project both for Wales and the United Kingdom as a whole.A spokesperson for the British Wind Energy Association said the development was "fantastic news", adding: "Gwynt y Môr is a landmark project both for Wales and the United Kingdom as a whole.
"It brings the total offshore projects with planning approval to 4.5 GW, solidifying UK's position as leader in offshore wind energy."It brings the total offshore projects with planning approval to 4.5 GW, solidifying UK's position as leader in offshore wind energy.
"It will also set us well on our way towards reaching our 2020 renewable energy targets.""It will also set us well on our way towards reaching our 2020 renewable energy targets."
But John Lawson-Reay, chairman of Save our Scenery, who campaigned against the wind farm, said he was "shattered" by the scheme's go-ahead.
"Tourism is the only major industry in Wales basically," he said.
"Llandudno is the queen of Welsh resorts, as has been often said, and we think and we believe and the views we get from visitors we speak to is that the scenery is the primary number one reason for people coming here.
"They want to get away from industrial areas."
Gwynt y Môr is the latest wind farm to be approved off the north Wales coast.Gwynt y Môr is the latest wind farm to be approved off the north Wales coast.
North Hoyle, which has 30 turbines and Burbo, which has 25 turbines, are already up and running, while Rhyl Flats, with its 25 turbines, is into the latter half of its construction phase.North Hoyle, which has 30 turbines and Burbo, which has 25 turbines, are already up and running, while Rhyl Flats, with its 25 turbines, is into the latter half of its construction phase.