Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm
Irish Sea, off the North Wales coast, UK · 2013–2015 (fully operational June 2015) · €2 billion (approx. £1.7 billion at 2015 exchange rates)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchAt its opening in 2015, it was the second largest offshore wind farm in the world, showcasing the UK's leadership in offshore wind development. - The project highlighted the significant investment required for large-scale offshore wind projects and the collaboration between multiple stakeholders.
Key engineering challenges
Installation of 160 turbines and associated infrastructure in the Irish Sea. - Managing the logistics of a large-scale offshore construction project. - Ensuring efficient power transmission to the onshore grid.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- RWE (operator), Stadtwerke München, Siemens
- Lead contractor
- N/A (multiple contractors)
- Lead designers
- N/A
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 576 MW capacity; 160 Siemens 3.6 MW turbines; covers 79 km2
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; marine; geotechnical
- Standards & frameworks
- N/A
Sources: RWE: https://uk.rwe.com/locations/gwynt-y-mor-offshore-wind-farm/ - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwynt_y_M%C3%B4r - Tethys - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: https://tethys.pnnl.gov/wind-project-sites/gwynt-y-mor