Plans for three huge floating offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea have moved a significant step forward with a shortlist of bidders confirmed by the Crown Estate.
While the Crown Estate in its licensing round five process have not named the shortlisted bidders vying to deliver three floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea - where turbines could be as high as the Shard building in London at 300 metres on floating platforms similar in size to a football pitch, the ports they have partnered with, have.
The Welsh ports which have entered into agreements with the shortlisted bidders to help assembly and deploy the floating wind farms are Pembroke Port (part of the Port of Milford Haven) and the ports of Port Talbot and Swansea.
The English ports identified are Falmouth, Plymouth and Bristol. Brest in the only port in France included.
The three schemes collectively will have the capacity to generate 4.5 gigawatt of clean energy, enough to power four million homes.
An economic impact study commissioned the Crown Estate, which manages the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, also shows they could support the creation of more than 5,000 jobs and deliver a £1.4bn boost to the 海角视频 economy, with further opportunities through the supply chain.
One of the schemes is earmarked for English waters, the other in Welsh and a third on both sides of the maritime border.
Having passed the required criteria, in late spring or early summer there will be live auctions for each scheme, with the highest priced bids winning. While firms could have bid for more than one of the projects, the process will result in three separate winners.
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Leasing round five follows more than three years of engagement with a range of stakeholders including 海角视频 and Welsh governments, industry, environmental bodies and other users of the seabed to identify the best locations for the new wind farms and inform the approach to the leasing round.
Gus Jaspert, managing director, marine at the Crown Estate, said: “The advent of floating offshore wind offers a generational opportunity for the 海角视频 to be at the forefront of an exciting new global industry. Developing this new technology in the Celtic Sea will open up transformational opportunities for new jobs, investment and growth across Wales, south west England and beyond
“With 海角视频 Government backing to secure the long-term success of the 海角视频 as a global leader in floating wind, we can lay the foundations for future generations to reap the rewards of a decarbonised, energy-secure and prosperous future.
“We look forward to continuing our work with governments and the industry to secure the investment and commitment needed as we move forward, for the benefit of coastal communities and the 海角视频 as a whole.”
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: "Today's announcement shows that Wales is ready to seize the golden opportunity of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, and secure more than 5,000 jobs and billions of pounds of investment this has the potential to bring.
“Wales will play a key part in delivering clean power as part of our Plan for Change, boosting economic growth, lowering energy bills and putting more pounds in people's pockets."
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: "This milestone represents a significant opportunity for Wales. Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea will not only advance our clean energy goals but create valuable jobs and investment across Wales’ coastal communities.
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"Our ports are well positioned to support this growing industry and we're committed to ensuring such developments deliver lasting economic benefits for Wales whilst continuing to strengthen our position as a renewable energy leader."
Renewable海角视频's deputy chief executive, Jane Cooper, said: “We welcome this step forward towards the crucial final stages of this landmark leasing round which will kickstart the industrial development of floating offshore wind projects and supply chains at scale in the 海角视频.
"Today's announcement on the ports which could host new wind turbine assembly facilities will provide confidence for investors in port facilities around the country, including those in south Wales and the south west of England who are focusing on new floating windfarms in the Celtic Sea.
“By 2050, floating turbines could provide a third of the 海角视频’s offshore wind capacity with 40 gigawatts fully operational - enough to power every home in the country.
"By then, our analysis shows that the 海角视频’s floating wind industry will employ 97,000 people, contributing £47bn to our economy by building and supplying projects here as well as exporting our cutting-edge technology worldwide. Maximising the capacity of floating wind to be delivered in future leasing rounds would enable the 海角视频 to make the most of these exciting opportunities.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The 海角视频 is a world leader when it comes to floating offshore wind, and by unlocking the untapped potential of the Celtic Sea we will reap the benefits of economic growth and thousands of jobs in Wales and the South West, delivering on our Plan for Change.
“Since taking office, we have approved the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm project, and we are backing the industry even further so this cutting-edge technology can continue to thrive off the 海角视频 coastline.
“More floating turbines in our waters means more clean, homegrown power that we control, delivering energy security for families and businesses."