EDF Renewables has formed a joint venture partnership with DP Energy to generate up to 1 GW of floating offshore wind energy in the Celtic Sea, with the project likely to span English and Welsh waters.
Work including identification of a refined area of search and detailed constraint studies for the proposed location of the Gwynt Glas project is already underway.
An area of interest encompassing some 1,500 square kilometres has been identified, approximately 70 kilometres from the shore, with initial remote aerial surveys for marine mammals and birds taking place since Spring 2021.
The project team will be consulting with key stakeholders and interested parties in the coming weeks to refine the proposed site location.
”We firmly believe Gwynt Glas will be a catalyst for further supply chain growth across the UK which is something we as a company are very supportive of,” EDF Renewables UK Head of Offshore Wind Scott Sutherland said.
”We will use our experience in offshore wind to help bring opportunities for local, regional and national companies on this project and on others, such our Blyth floating project and the two we are bidding for in the ScotWind process. Floating offshore wind is an exciting new technology and will bring much needed inward investment which can regenerate coastal economies and communities.”
The Gwynt Glas floating wind farm is expected to provide power for approximately 927,400 homes and contribute a significant part of the Crown Estate’s ambitions for 4 GW of capacity in the Celtic Sea as announced last year.
”With EDF Renewables UK we have found a strong ally to develop Gwynt Glas, who place strong emphasis on capturing the regional supply chain and local community opportunity, alongside protecting our environment,” Simon De Pietro , CEO of DP Energy, said.
”Each member of the DP Energy UK team based in Pembroke Dock was born and raised in Wales and are passionate about supporting the growth of a new energy sector that can sustain skilled, well-paid jobs for future generations in coastal regions, in Wales and in the South West of England.”