Offshore wind forms a growing part of the UK’s energy mix, with projects increasingly linked to regional employment and long-term investment in coastal communities. Government has said expanding clean power generation supports energy security and economic development across Wales and the wider UK.
The Wales Office has announced that the Awel y Môr offshore wind project off the North Wales coast has secured a UK government contract, following recent auction results that included other renewable energy developments in Welsh waters.
The Wales Office said on 27 January 2026 that the Awel y Môr offshore wind project in the Irish Sea has secured a UK government contract, with ministers highlighting its role in supporting regional growth, skilled jobs, and clean power generation.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens met developers at the Port of Mostyn to discuss plans for the site, which is expected to form part of the UK’s wider offshore wind expansion programme.
Project Announcement and Contract Award
The department said the Awel y Môr project was among those to win a contract in the latest UK government auction round held on 14 January. Officials presented the outcome as a step in expanding offshore wind capacity across Welsh waters.
The announcement followed a visit by the Secretary of State for Wales to the Port of Mostyn, where she met project developers to discuss plans for the site. The visit was described as part of ongoing engagement between government and industry on renewable energy development.
- Contract award confirmation
- Ministerial site visit
- Industry engagement
Site Location and Development Plans
Government said the Awel y Môr project is located in the Irish Sea, around 10 kilometres off the North Wales coast, west of the existing Gwynt y Môr offshore wind site. Once fully constructed, the development is expected to include up to 50 turbines.
Officials said the location was chosen to build on existing offshore wind activity in the region. The department described the project as part of a broader pattern of renewable energy development along the Welsh coastline.
Awel y Môr Project Overview
| Location | Irish Sea, approximately 10 kilometres off the North Wales coast, west of Gwynt y Môr. |
| Scale | Up to 50 turbines planned once the project is fully constructed. |
| Port Engagement | Developers met with the Secretary of State for Wales at the Port of Mostyn. |
Economic Impact and Employment
The department said the project is expected to support well-paid and highly skilled jobs in North Wales. Officials described the development as contributing to growth in the local area through long-term investment in clean energy infrastructure.
Government also linked the project to wider private investment expected from recent offshore wind auctions. The announcement positioned renewable energy projects as a source of employment across different stages of development and operation.
- Skilled job creation
- Regional economic growth
- Private sector investment
National Energy Strategy Context
Officials said the project aligns with the government’s aim to expand home-grown clean power and strengthen the UK’s energy supply. The department referenced national targets for increasing offshore wind capacity as part of the clean power mission.
The announcement also cited recent auction results that secured new offshore wind capacity across the UK. Government said this approach supports long-term energy planning and infrastructure development.
Recent Offshore Wind Auction Outcomes
| Capacity Secured | Record offshore wind capacity awarded through the latest auction round. |
| Investment | Private sector funding linked to new renewable energy developments. |
| Employment | Jobs expected across construction, operations, and supply chains. |
Auction Results and Wider Projects
The department said the Awel y Môr project was one of several developments to secure support through the auction. Officials also referenced the Erebus project in the Celtic Sea off Pembrokeshire as another successful bid.
Government described the auction as part of a broader approach to expanding offshore wind across different regions of the UK. The announcement framed the outcomes as contributing to national clean energy capacity.
Stakeholder Comments
Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales said;
“The development of the Awel y Môr project is huge news for North Wales and will deliver more well-paid, highly-skilled jobs and growth to the local area.”
“The UK Government is working with investors to develop home-grown clean power which will secure our energy supply and bring down bills for good. Wales is at the centre of this and projects like Awel y Môr will help us achieve those goals.”
Philippa Powell, Project Lead for Awel y Môr at RWE said;
“Following our success in the most recent auction round, it was a pleasure to update the Secretary of State for Wales on our plans for Awel y Môr for the coming year, as we work towards a final investment decision.”
“Capable of powering more than half the homes in Wales once fully realised, Awel y Môr represents part of our commitment to investing in renewable energy in Wales, alongside our onshore wind and solar projects.”
Moving Forward
The Wales Office said the project will continue through its development phase as government and developers work towards a final investment decision. Officials said the wider offshore wind programme will progress through future auction rounds to expand clean power capacity across the UK.
The department described the approach as supporting regional development and long-term energy planning in Wales and beyond.
Sources: Wales Office, and The Rt Hon Jo Stevens MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
