Briefing Note

September 2020

Introduction to RWE In the UK RWE operates across: offshore wind, onshore wind, hydro, biomass and gas (CCGT), with a keen interest in more nascent technologies such as floating wind and hydrogen. Aberthaw coal-fired power station is due to be decommissioned.

RWE currently owns and/or operates 9 offshore wind farms including: Gwynt y Môr, Rhyl Flats, North Hoyle, Galloper, Greater Gabbard, Rampion, Robin Rigg, London Array and Humber Gateway and is developing 4 extension projects to existing windfarms: Gwynt y Môr, Galloper, Greater Gabbard and Rampion.

In addition the company owns: 36 onshore wind farms and 25 hydro sites.

RWE in Wales

RWE is Wales’ single biggest operator of renewable energy assets with 300+ permanent employees across our offices in Wales, producing over one third of all renewable electricity generated from:

• 3 existing offshore wind farms off the coast of North Wales: o Gwynt y Môr (576MW) o Rhyl Flats (90MW) o North Hoyle (60MW) • 3 onshore wind farms: Clocaenog Forest (96MW); Brechfa Forest West (57.4MW); and Mynydd y Gwair (32.8MW) and; • 6 hydro projects (up to 4MW each)

Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm RWE Renewables is proud to be leading development of the extension to Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm. This ‘sister project’ is called Awel y Môr meaning ‘sea breeze’. The project is in the early stages of consent and development and is due to be the largest renewable energy investment in Wales over the next decade.

Figure 1: proposed extension to Gwynt y Môr ]

www.awelymor.cymru 0800 1978232 awelymor@rwe.com

Background to Awel y Môr & Timelines

• In October 2019 The Crown Estate offered an Agreement for Lease (AfL) for the Gwynt y Môr extension - one of seven successful UK extension sites • Initial consenting work started in April 2019 and the AfL was successfully signed in June 2020 • RWE Renewables is leading the project’s development on behalf of its partners • The project is progressing but is still at a relatively early stage, with exact size and capacity yet to be determined. • The project is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and requires a Development Consent Order (DCO) via UK Government. Being in Welsh waters, it will also require a Marine Licence via Natural Resources Wales. • The project has now been offered a grid connection into Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. Although Awel y Môr is described as an extension, it is a new project in its own right and therefore requires its own grid connection and supporting infrastructure. Work to assess site selection options for the project’s transmission system is underway.

Key Dates (provisional) Project facts June 2020 AfL signed Location 10.5km off the Welsh coast in 2020-2021 Community engagement (informal the Irish Sea Public Engagement Days – West of existing Gwynt y Môr Wind Farm November 2020); site selection Wind Turbine Unconfirmed. At the time of options & site investigations. Generators (WTGs) construction, 12-22MW turbines Second phase of public are possible. The project’s consultation also. consent will need to be ‘future- 2022-2023 Submit applications for DCO (UK proofed’ to ensure it reflects Govt) and Marine Licence (NRW) future market availability. 2023-2024 DCO and Marine Licence Foundation types All types being considered determination Extension area 106km² Grid connection Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire 2023-2025 Contract for Difference (CfD)

Auction 2030 Aim to be operational

Opportunities for Wales

Offshore wind is one of the UK’s cheapest sources of energy, driving reductions in energy system costs to consumers whilst decarbonising at the same time. As one of the cleanest forms of energy generation, offshore wind has a central role to play in reducing carbon emissions.

The existing Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm is capable of generating enough energy for up to 400,000 average UK households each year. During construction, £660m was spent with companies based in the UK with over £90 million being spent within Wales. Around 700 jobs were created in Wales during the two-year construction period and since then 100 new long term, skilled engineering jobs have been created at the Port of Mostyn in Flintshire, the operations and maintenance base for Gwynt y Môr.

In addition to job creation and GVA, Awel y Môr provides a valuable opportunity to contribute to both Wales’ net zero targets.

www.awelymor.cymru 0800 1978232 [email protected]

The Offshore Wind Sector Deal

In March 2019, the Offshore Wind Sector Deal was signed, committing the UK Government and industry to delivering 30GW by 2030. This was soon afterwards increased to 40GW by 2030. Key targets include:

• 27,000 skilled jobs • An increase in UK content to 60% • Increased export opportunities • Investment and advances in Research & Development • The creation of Regional Supply Chain Clusters to support local business and help coastal communities to prosper • Increased equality & diversity in the industry from 16% to 33%

The Offshore Energy Alliance

As part of delivering on Offshore Wind Sector Deal commitments, RWE Renewables has become a champion for the development of a brand new supply chain cluster in the North Wales and the North West of England. The cluster aims to raise awareness of upcoming opportunities in the offshore wind and broader low carbon sectors for the benefit of local businesses. This valuable work is carried out under a ‘virtual umbrella organisation’ called The Offshore Energy Alliance. The Alliance is a collaboration involving many organisations across the region, including Welsh Government, The North Wales Economic Ambition Board, Menter Môn, CBI Wales, Mersey Maritime, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership and others – promoting cross-sectoral and cross-regional dialogue. The cluster not only adds benefits for business opportunities and export potential but also delivers benefits in the areas of innovation, skills and diversity too.

Skills Activities

RWE (previously innogy) has had a valuable historic relationship in skills development in the North Wales region, particularly via our partnership with Coleg Llandrillo Menai. To date, 30 wind turbine apprentices have been trained at the College and earlier in 2020 we announced that our UK-wide training hub would be now based at the North Wales campus. More than 700 people applied for this year’s intake which really highlighted the huge appetite to work in the industry.

In addition, via the Offshore Energy Alliance, the Awel y Môr project is engaging with the skills agenda and investigating opportunities to add further value.

Thank you for engaging with us on Awel y Môr. Please contact [email protected] or visit us at www.awelymor.cymru/ for further information.