RWE opens consents internship as Awel y Môr offshore wind farm heads for construction

RWE has opened applications for a 13-month year in industry placement in environmental consents, with the Awel y Môr Offshore Wind Farm off the north Wales coast among the projects the successful student could work on.

Applications close on 28 October and the programme starts in July 2027, according to a notice published by Marine Energy Wales. RWE's job advert lists the role as Year in Industry Environmental Consents, based in Swindon or London on a hybrid basis.

Marine Energy Wales said the placement suits students of environmental science, environmental management, environmental biology, renewable energy, geography, marine biology, oceanography, marine sciences or a similar subject.

Isobel Emery, RWE Consents Manager for Awel y Môr, did a year in industry herself while studying at the University of Kent. She said: "The year in industry programme is a fantastic way to develop your skills and understanding with real-life application, as well as providing that demonstrable experience that employers will be looking for."

The role

RWE's advert says the intern will gain practical knowledge of consenting and environmental management during offshore wind farm construction, and will support the preparation and review of consent and licence applications.

The placement pays a salary aligned with the Real Living Wage. Applicants must be eligible to complete a year in industry as part of their degree and must have at least five years' residence in the UK, because the role may require National Security Vetting, RWE said.

RWE said it has 10 operational offshore wind farms in the UK and further development projects in the pipeline. The company directly employs about 3,000 people in the UK, according to its UK website.

Awel y Môr

The timing of the placement coincides with the point at which Awel y Môr is due to move from consenting into delivery. RWE said construction is currently planned for 2027.

The project, on an area of seabed to the west of the existing Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, received its Development Consent Order and marine licences in September and November 2023, according to RWE's project page. In January 2026 it secured a Contract for Difference (CfD), the government-backed mechanism that guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated.

RWE said the strike price is £91.20 per megawatt-hour and that Awel y Môr is the first fixed offshore wind project in Wales to win a CfD in a decade. The company said the project will now move towards a Final Investment Decision.

Philippa Powell, Project Lead for Awel y Môr, said the next steps were additional onshore and offshore site investigations during 2026. Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE AG, said the company had secured long-term offtake contracts for five projects in the AR7 allocation round.

RWE's project page says the maximum tip height will be up to 332m if the maximum number of turbines is up to 34, or 250m if there are up to 50. The company said the wind farm's output would be equivalent to the needs of more than half of households in Wales.

Jobs

The Welsh Government said Awel y Môr alone is expected to create around 2,000 jobs during construction, with another 50 roles supporting delivery with RWE.

Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales, welcomed the outcome of the auction on 14 January 2026. She said: "I'm delighted that two Welsh offshore wind projects have secured contracts in the latest UK auction."

Applications for the RWE placement remain open until 28 October, with the successful candidate due to start in July 2027.