Floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea is poised to play a “crucial role” in decarbonising the UK and the region already has enormous potential to support the industry.
A joint report by Marine Energy Wales (MEW), Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC), and Celtic Sea Power (CSP), is urging decision-makers to recognise the existing capabilities of the Celtic Sea region when it comes to supporting the UK’s future FLOW industry and net zero targets.
The three organisations are founder members of The Celtic Sea Cluster.
The report highlights areas where progress is already being made, and areas with existing potential to support the burgeoning renewables industry and provide “immense benefits to local communities and the wider energy landscape”.
It says the Celtic Sea region already has a strong foundation to service the FLOW market including a long-established steel industry, extensive fabrication and engineering expertise in both the energy and marine sectors, and a significantly experienced workforce, developed around the delivery of Hinkley Point.
Many of the region’s companies are already delivering critical services into FLOW projects, the report points out.
The report’s authors said:
“With the right investments and strategic initiatives, the Celtic Sea region can not only meet the UK’s net zero ambitions, it can also spearhead innovation, economic growth and sustainable development.
With ambitious targets from the UK Government to achieve net zero electricity by 2030, the renewable energy sector is gearing up for significant acceleration. Whilst floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea will not be operational by then, it is still poised to play a crucial role in decarbonising the UK in the future, and the region already has enormous potential to support the industry.”
The report also delves into the recently published Celtic Sea Blueprint, commissioned by The Crown Estate, and the 2024 Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan (IGP), published by RenewableUK, the Offshore Wind Industry Council and The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland.
It makes several recommendations on how the Celtic Sea region can secure a sustainable and prosperous future and play its part in driving the UK’s renewable agenda.
You can read the report in full here.
