The £2bn Gwynt y Mor windfarm will have 160 wind turbines around 10 miles off the north Wales coast near Colwyn Bay and Llandudno. The RWE Innogy-led project is expected to be completed in 2014.

The project was opposed by some people in Llandudno who claimed it would destroy the resort's views out to sea. The government's decision to grant planning permission was criticised by protesters who also said wind energy was unreliable.

It is claimed some 1,000 jobs could be created in relation to construction and the supply of components.

Welsh Secretary 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 offshore windfarm projects in Europe, able to provide enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of around 400,000 homes.

"In Wales we are ideally located to embrace the economic benefits of green technologies.

"Surrounded by wind, wave and tidal resources, we are in a prime position to be able to benefit from investment in the green economy whilst making a significant contribution to the [UK] government's carbon reduction targets through safe, clean renewable means."

(BBC News)

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