A North Wales port is to create 300 new jobs with a major expansion to cater for the offshore wind industry. The Port of Mostyn, Flintshire, is pressing ahead with plans to build a new 350-metre quay capable of handling the next generation of super-sized floating offshore wind turbines.
The scheme was green-lighted after it was granted a Marine Works Licence by Natural Resources Wales. Thirteen acres of adjoining land will be reclaimed and the port has also announced it has bought the adjoining 45-acre former Warwick International site.
The new quay has been designed to enable the world's largest jack-up crane barges to berth and load the turbines. Preparatory work will start in the autumn and the construction phase will create 130 temporary jobs over 21 months. A total of 300 permanent jobs are expected to follow once the next round of windfarm projects gets underway in 2027.
With recent expansion and modernisation Mostyn has become one of Europe's most important ports for the offshore renewable energy sector. The first two commercial windfarms in 海角视频 waters, North Hoyle off the North Wales coast and Robin Rigg in the Solway Firth, were constructed from the port in 2002.
Mostyn is already in negotiations with windfarm developers over the use of the port as a base for future offshore projects. Dredging work will be needed to create new berths and, to accommodate the size of visiting ships, existing berths need deepening. The port's approach channel in the outer Dee estuary will have to be re-dredged as well.
Managing director Jim O'Toole said the work was needed because the facility will be catering for the next generation of much larger turbines. "To put it into context, the weight of the first turbines handled at the port in 2002 was 610 tonnes, whereas the next generation will have floating foundations, with the weight of the turbine alone being up to 2,000 tonnes.
"This new twin development will secure the future of the port and is a major step forward for the future of the offshore wind industry in Wales." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
As one of the oldest ports in the country, Mostyn has been handling cargoes for four centuries. Depending on the region's heavy industries of the time, coal, iron ore, woodchip and sulphur passed through the port, along with steel, timber and wood pulp. Animal feedstuffs and farm fertilisers were other staples.
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Deepening of its outer berths has enabled expansion in recent decades. Currently 240 people are employed at the port, servicing three windfarms. The number of jobs are expected to increase as its windfarm support services grow.
Mr O'Toole said: "Once the Warwick site is integrated into the port, it will increase the land available for offshore renewable energy projects to 120 acres and its berths to 650 metres. The site has a significant number of large buildings that will be used for the fabrication and assembly of wind turbine structures and the establishment of supporting services in steel fabrication, electrical, hydraulic and coatings. We're also going to be creating a marshalling area where the blades and the large turbine components are laid out."
The news was welcomed by Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales. Saluting Jim O'Toole's leadership, he said the scheme was a "fantastic boost" for the region. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
"The Port of Mostyn will become a magnet for investment and job creation through this expansion," said the minister. "The roll-out will maximise the opportunity for growth in the renewable energy sector, especially with all the activity around projects in the north.
"Ports are driving the national economy and playing their part in our ambition to create jobs and growth. Renewable energy projects, including offshore wind, provide long-term and well paid jobs and many hundreds will be created at the Port of Mostyn."
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said Wales has an important role to play if Britain is to become a "clean energy superpower". This was echoed by Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, who said the port's expansion aligns with the Welsh Government's commitment to create green jobs and growth.
She said: "Our vision is to position Wales at the forefront of the energy transition and to decarbonise in a way that generates greater benefits than the energy system we have today. Major offshore wind initiatives will be key to this."