This weekend, RWE npower renewables' Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm is expected to generate its first clean, green power from its location off the North Wales coast.

Weather permitting, the first of the wind farm's 25 turbines will export its first power to shore as construction works continue on site to complete installation of the remaining wind turbines and subsea cables.

The Government's Energy Minister, Lord Hunt said: "We're the world number one for offshore wind generation and with Rhyl Flats plugged in we're adding to the amount of electricity we're generating. Offshore wind power will be a big contributor to meeting our target of 15% of renewable energy by 2020, securing a domestic and low carbon source of electricity and helping the UK's transition towards a greener cleaner economy."

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Kevin McCullough, Chief Operating Officer for RWE npower renewables’ parent company, RWE Innogy, said: "That power will be generated in the next few days is one of the most significant achievements yet in the construction of Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm. We are delighted to reach this milestone, which marks the start of a life time of environmental benefits that Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm will deliver through pollution-free energy generation. In addition, the wind farm is bringing benefits to the regional economy through investment in jobs and local services. Local community projects will also benefit from an annual community fund for the life of the wind farm, which will become available when the project is fully operational."

Power from the wind farm is taken to shore by subsea cables, and then cabling underground to the recently completed substation at Towyn, where the voltage of the electricity is converted for transmission over the national electricity grid.

In the coming months, the other 24 turbines will come on line and it is expected that the wind farm will become fully operational during the final quarter of 2009.

(CD/JM)