North Hoyle Offshore

Wind Farm

17th April 2002

BONUS Energy A/S

North Hoyle

• North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm– work to date– current status and ongoing work – local consultation

North Hoyle Anemometry

Mast

• 30 wind turbines, 90MW maximum capacity • 4-5 miles off North Wales coast, off Prestatyn / Rhyl• Connection to 132kV Manweb system at Rhyl• Output equivalent to annual demand of approximately 70,000 homes

- More than one-third of domestic demand of Denbighshire Flintshire and Conwy combined - 1.5% Welsh electricity demand

• Installation commencing Spring 2003

Project Description

Consents Applications

• Applications Submitted Mid February • Electricity Act, Coast Protection Act,

FEPA, Water Resources Act, Town & Country Planning Act– no exclusion zone

EIA Conclusions• No Significant Environmental Impacts:

– surveys suggest that the site does not merit designation for nature conservation

– no significant effects on nearby designated sites

– “Appropriate Assessment”, under EC Habitats Regulations, not required for existing Natura 2000 sites, or for any sites qualifying by virtue of population size

• No significant effects on marine ecology (fish, benthos, mammals)- species present are typical of Irish Sea

• Very few birds within North Hoyle and immediately surrounding area - no significant effects

• Site is away from shipping lanes - risk of collision very low (once every 1,400 yrs)

• Some sailing activity in the area, risk assessment indicates risks are low

• Very little fishing in area (2/3 sub-10m boats). Effects are low - fishing can continue within wind farm

• Socio-economic effects, job creation etc, are very positive

• No impact on other offshore activities (oil & gas, aggregate extraction, MoD)

Consents Process • Town & Country Planning Act Permission Received• Water Resources Act Received• CCW Support North Hoyle

– subject to monitoring– recommend no Appropriate Assessment

• Positive Reaction from National Assembly for Wales• No objection from Local Planning Authority• No objection from Environment Agency

Local Consultation• Project Briefing, July 2001

– Local Councils, and Interested Parties

• Public Exhibitions July 2001250 people attended. Of those completing questionnaires : – 95% support North Hoyle– 4% undecided– 1% oppose North Hoyle

Local Consultation II

• Project Leaflet sent to 28,000 local homes

• Public Exhibitions 9/10th March 2002– 350 People Attended.– No survey, but reaction very positive

Other Information

• Grid Connection Agreement signed, for 50% of existing spare capacity

• Construction Contract Negotiations

North Hoyle

BONUS Energy A/S

•Consistent with strong Government encouragement for renewables

•North Hoyle can supply sufficient clean electricity for 70,000 homes

•Consents submission February 2002, installation summer 2003

•Site is well chosen, no known environmental sensitivities found via EIA

•No requirement for “Appropriate Assessment”

•Potential for local tourism and jobs

•Opportunity to purchase “green” electricity from the wind farm at no extra cost

•NWP consultation is ongoing

Information

Web Sitewww.northhoyle.co.uk

Emailnorthhoyle@natwindpower.co.uk