GWYNT Y MÔR OFFSHORE WIND FARM LIMITED
The renewable energy sector is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK, providing opportunities for businesses in the manufacture and service of plant and equipment. Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm Limited is constructing one of the biggest wind farms built in Europe so far. It uses Icom IDAS digital two way radios supplied and installed by NRC on the DIGIpool network, in the coordination of the installation of these turbines and their foundations.
Lee Cornwell, Senior Marine Co-ordinator of Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm said, “The Icom IDAS IC-F4102D UHF digital handportable radio and the IC-F6122D UHF digital mobile radio which are used on the DIGIpool network are the primary means of communication between the Marine Coordination Centre based in Birkenhead and all of the vessels operating at the Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm site in Liverpool Bay. All vessels and all the personnel at the wind farm use the digital two way radios.”
He added, “The digital two way radios are important because they provide an alternative to a mobile telephone signal. They provide very clear audio and excellent clarity and as such, are a vital cog in the safe operation of the project.”
Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm is a €2billion (EURO) project, and will consist of 160 turbines. It is being built by RWE npower renewables more than eight miles off the North Wales coast in Liverpool Bay. The project is being funded by RWE Innogy, in partnership with Stadtwerke München GmbH, and Siemens AG. Once operational, Gwynt y Môr will have an installed capacity of 576MW, using Siemens 3.6MW turbines and generators. It will be capable of generating enough energy to meet the average annual energy needs of around 400,000 homes.
Construction is now well underway in north Wales and offshore in Liverpool Bay. The wind farm is due to be fully operational in 2014. Icom Dealer, NRC Ltd, founded in 1989 have provided communications to business and other commercial organisations in the North West and across the UK.
