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Offshore surveys begin for major Welsh renewables project

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AWEL Y MOR has begun offshore survey work as the north Wales wind farm project moves into its next phase following the award of a UK Government Contract for Difference.

The project, led by RWE, could become one of Wales’ biggest renewable energy schemes of the decade if it secures a final investment decision.

Once built off the north Wales coast, Awel y Môr would be capable of generating electricity equivalent to 22.5 per cent of Wales’ current annual energy use.

Contractors GEO and TGS will carry out geotechnical and geophysical surveys across the 78km² array area and along the export cable route to landfall between Rhyl and Prestatyn.

The work will help refine the final design of the offshore wind farm and identify seabed conditions that could affect construction.

TGS will undertake geophysical surveys using high-resolution imaging to map the seabed in detail, including boulders and other features.

GEO will carry out geotechnical investigations using cone penetration testing and vibrocore sampling to build on previous borehole surveys and research carried out at Bangor University.

Jo Pickard, senior consents manager for RWE, said: “This additional survey data will enable the team to make design refinements and fine tune our methods for offshore construction, which is currently planned to begin in 2029.

“Our next step is to reach a final investment decision. Onshore construction is planned to begin in 2027 with the onshore substation, followed by the cable route in 2028.

“We will of course keep all relevant stakeholders informed and updated as our plans progress.”

GEO will deploy two vessels, each working on different areas of seabed.

Kim Sillemann, managing director at GEO, said the company was proud to have been awarded the contract by RWE.

RWE is developing Awel y Môr with project partners Stadtwerke München, which holds 30 per cent, and Siemens Financial Services, which holds 10 per cent.

The company has more than two decades’ experience in UK offshore wind, having developed and built the country’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm at North Hoyle, also off the north Wales coast.

 

Charity

Charity golf day to support cancer awareness after Derek’s diagnosis

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LOCAL businesses are being asked to support a charity golf day in Rosemarket this July after organiser Derek Rowlands was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer.

Derek’s Charity Golf Day will take place at Dawn Til Dusk Golf Club on Friday, July 10, with proceeds going to Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.

The event will be played in a Texas Scramble format, with teams of four invited to enter at £80 per team. Tee times will run from 8:00am.

Derek was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2023. His illness was identified early, allowing him to undergo surgery soon after diagnosis. He continues to receive monthly treatment and has organised the event to raise both funds and awareness.

Neuroendocrine cancers can develop in different parts of the body, including the digestive system, pancreas and lungs. Symptoms can often be vague, meaning some patients are diagnosed late.

Local businesses are being invited to support the event by sponsoring a hole for a minimum donation of £100, donating raffle or competition prizes, entering a team, or helping to promote the day.

There are up to 18 hole sponsorship opportunities available, with sponsors able to display banners or promotional materials at their designated hole.

Anyone wishing to enter a team, sponsor the event, donate a prize or find out more can contact Derek on 07823 323 134.

 

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Vehicle bursts into flames beside petrol pumps as major A487 route shut

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Emergency services rush to dramatic forecourt blaze on road linking Pembrokeshire to North Wales

A VEHICLE burst into flames beside a petrol station forecourt in Gwynedd on Thursday (May 21), prompting the closure of the A487 in both directions as emergency services raced to the scene.

Dramatic footage circulating online showed a vehicle engulfed in flames just metres from fuel pumps, with thick black smoke billowing into the air as firefighters tackled the blaze.

The incident happened at a petrol station in Penrhyndeudraeth, near Porthmadog, on the A487 — one of Wales’ best-known trunk roads and a route familiar to many Pembrokeshire motorists travelling north through the west coast of Wales.

The A487 stretches from Haverfordwest through Ceredigion and Gwynedd before continuing towards Bangor, making it a key link between west and north Wales for residents, businesses and holiday traffic.

Traffic Wales confirmed the road had been shut due to a vehicle fire at a garage, with local diversions put in place while emergency crews dealt with the incident.

The scale of the blaze sparked concern because of its proximity to petrol pumps, with images appearing to show flames spreading across part of the forecourt area.

At this stage, it is unclear whether anyone was injured or what caused the vehicle to catch fire.

The closure caused disruption on the A487, a major route used by motorists travelling between Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and north Wales.

Penrhyndeudraeth, located near the gateway to Eryri National Park, is a busy area for tourism traffic, meaning delays quickly built up following the emergency response.

North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been approached for comment.

Pic caption:

Dramatic blaze: A vehicle erupts into flames beside petrol pumps at a forecourt in Penrhyndeudraeth, forcing the closure of the A487 (Pic: Social media).

 

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Paul Davies meets Openreach Cymru at the Senedd to discuss Full Fibre rollout

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CEREDIGION PENFRO Senedd Member Paul Davies has met with Openreach Cymru at the Senedd to discuss progress on the rollout of full fibre broadband across west Wales, raising concerns about connectivity in parts of west Wales.

Pembrokeshire currently has the lowest level of full fibre coverage in Wales at just 59%, with neighbouring Ceredigion the second lowest at 67%.  Mr Davies stressed that while progress is being made, more needs to be done to close the gap and ensure rural communities are not left behind.

Mr Davies said, “Expanding full fibre broadband is essential to supporting economic growth, public services and digital inclusion across Wales and we all require access to reliable, high-speed broadband in our lives.

“Whilst the full fibre network is now available to more than 80% of premises across Wales, the coverage in areas like Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion shows there’s still plenty of work to be done. We need to see a stronger focus on these areas so that residents and businesses can benefit from the same opportunities as those in better-connected parts of Wales.”

“I will continue to work with Openreach Cymru to ensure that broadband rollout is delivered as quickly and efficiently as possible. Improving digital infrastructure is vital for economic growth and I want to ensure that communities in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are not left behind.”

 

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