Green Light For Mostyn Port Expansion Plan
Written by Harry Turnbull
The Port of Mostyn in North Wales has won permission to create a new berth that will led to the creation of an estimated 300 jobs.
Work is required to cater for a new generation of large floating offshire wind turbines which will require the world’s bggest crane barges.
It is expected to commence in the autumn with the construction phase leading to 130 jobs and 300 permanent posts when new windfarm projects come on stream.
Although plans have been on the drawing-board for some time it has only been made possible by the granting of a Marine Works License by Natural Resources Wales.
As part of the expansion the Flintshire port has also acquired an adjoining 45 acre site which will carry out work to supplement the creation of the new 350 metre long berth.
The first two windfarms in the UK were constructed at Mostyn more than 20 years ago.
The first two windfarms in the UK were constructed at Mostyn more than 20 years ago.
Managing director Jim O’Toole said: “Currently 240 people are employed at the port, servicing three windfarms, and the number of jobs here will increase when the supporting services become established.
“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.
“Once the adjoining 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.
“All of this is important because we are going to be catering for the next generation of much larger turbines.
“To put the size and weight of the future turbines 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.”
The news was welcomed by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, who said: “This is incredible news, a fantastic boost for North Wales.
“The Port of Mostyn will become a magnet for investment and job creation through this expansion and the rollout will maximise the opportunity for growth in the renewable energy sector especially with all the activity around projects in the North.”
About the author
Harry Turnbull is an experienced journalist based in the north who has held a variety of reporting and editing roles in the media. As well as writing for our titles on Need to See IT Publishing, Harry also writes a reviews column for the UK’s biggest archive of BBC radio dramas.
