Jill Evans MEP, Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales leader in the European Parliament, has had a meeting with the project developers in which she took a close look at proposals for the off-shore wind power development at Rhyl Flats.

The project is being developed by COWL - Celtic Offshore Wind Limited - a consortium which consists of Renewable Development Company Ltd. (RDC), and First Hydro Renewables Ltd. (FHR). RDC is based in Mold, with its sister company West Coast Energy, and FHR is a sister company to First Hydro Company, who operate the pumped storage hydro-electric facilities at Dinorwig and Ffestiniog.

Ms Evans, who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament, met Gerry Jewson and Simon Tribe of COWL, along with Elfed Williams, Plaid Cymru parliamentary candidate for Clwyd West. The Euro MP said that the proposals were very interesting:

"The fact that this project would have the capacity to generate up to 1.5% of the total electricity demand for Wales is significant, as this is from a renewable energy source.

"This is also good employment news, not only in Flintshire, but in the other counties along the north coast - Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd - where jobs may be created or made more secure by potential suppliers. And the north of Wales will have an excellent opportunity to establish its skills base in this field."

Elfed Williams was optimistic about the tourism potential:

"I am certain that an onshore information centre, perhaps combined with boat trips to the site, would prove to be a viable attraction on the north coast."

DIWEDD/END.