North Wales’ Port of Mostyn expansion to create 300 new jobs and drive green growth
The Port of Mostyn is pressing ahead with its plan to build a new berth to cater for the next generation of much larger floating offshore wind turbines. It was made possible after Natural Resources Wales granted a Marine Works Licence to build a new 350 metre quay and reclaim 13 acres of land behind it.
The new quay has been designed to enable the world’s largest jack-up crane barges to berth and load the turbines.
Meanwhile, the port has also announced it has also bought the adjoining 45-acre former Warwick International site.
Preparatory work will commence in the autumn and the construction phase will create 130 jobs and 300 permanent ones will follow after the next round of windfarm projects gets underway in 2027.
In the meantime, the port has started negotiations with a number of windfarm developers about them using Mostyn as a base for their offshore projects.
The port can lay claim to being the birthplace of the UK’s offshore wind industry two decades ago. The first two commercial windfarms in UK waters, North Hoyle off the coast of North Wales and Robin Rigg in the Solway Firth, were constructed from the Port of Mostyn in 2002.
Managing director Jim O’Toole said: “Currently 240 people are employed at the port, servicing three windfarms, and the number of jobs here will increase when the supporting services become established.
“This new twin development will secure the future of the port and is a major step forward for the future of the offshore wind industry in Wales.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “This is incredible news, a fantastic boost for North Wales.
“The Port of Mostyn will become a magnet for investment and job creation through this expansion and the rollout will maximise the opportunity for growth in the renewable energy sector especially with all the activity around projects in the North.
Cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “This major expansion at the Port of Mostyn is fantastic news and aligns with our commitment to create a future Wales driven by green jobs and growth.”
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens added: “This is fantastic news for north Wales and I’m delighted to see investment in the Port of Mostyn and the creation of hundreds of new jobs.
“The UK Government has made clear that kickstarting economic growth and making Britain a clean energy superpower are key missions in our Plan for Change.
Wales has an important role to play and investments which contribute to developing our floating offshore wind industry are vital to ensure we achieve success and put more money in people’s pockets.”
19 February 2025
