A HUGE 160 turbine windfarm development off Llandudno's coast has been heralded as “a great opportunity” by supporters and slammed as “monstrosities” by conservationists.
RWE npower will start building one of Europe’s biggest windfarms at the end of next year.
The company said more than £2.2 million of contracts have already been awarded in Wales for the Gwynt Y Mor project.
Secretary of State for Wales, Cheryl Gillan, said: “This is excellent news. Gwynt y Mor will be one of the single biggest private investment projects ever seen in Wales, creating up to 1,000 quality jobs and contributing many millions of pounds to the regional economy of North Wales.
“It will also become one of the largest off-shore wind farm projects in Europe, able to provide enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of around 400,000 homes.”
Jonathan Lincoln from the pro-windfarm group Sustainable Energy Alliance (SEA) confirmed 5,000 letters of support for Gwynt Y Mor had been received, and once the development is completed in 2014 it will provide energy for 400,000 homes each year.
He said: “The construction of the Gwynt Y Mor offshore windfarm will provide a great opportunity for Wales and it will show the rest of the UK and the world that this country takes its responsibilities and commitment to addressing man-made climate very seriously.”
But the news has disappointed local campaign groups and councillors whose objections to the build were “ignored” by the former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband.
Mike Pritchard, of Save Our Scenery, said: “The latest announcement talks of 1250 jobs, but where in North Wales will they be based? Not the most affected areas like Llandudno and Colwyn Bay, but Mostyn, Denmark, Germany and Holland.
“When will they admit that the only reason for putting forward these financially unviable wind farm projects is to avoid penalties being imposed upon them by UK and European politicians, who have no interest whatsoever in the interests of local communities who will have to live with these turbine monstrosities for years to come.”
Shadow Local Government Minister Darren Millar AM, said he was in favour of renewable energy, but condemned the passing of planning permission despite objections as a “democratic deficit”.
He said: “The news that building work on the Gwynt y Môr development will commence next spring is a bitter blow for local people who campaigned against the proposals and found their opposition ignored by the previous UK Government.
“There was overwhelming public opposition both from members of the local communities and elected representatives at all levels, as well as calls for a public inquiry into the proposals. The voice of local people and their representatives should not be sidelined.”
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