A photo of the WindFloat Atlantic floating wind farm n Portugal

Two Celtic Sea Floating Wind Projects Could Be Delivered by 2028

Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy have said that they are looking at early delivery of their two floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea, called Llywelyn and Petroc, which have grid connections secured and almost a year’s worth of bird surveys already completed.

Illustration; WindFloat Atlantic floating wind farm offshore Portugal. Source: Principle Power

“As our joint venture has already undertaken considerable work including bird surveys, securing grid connections and other feasibility studies, we believe that our 300MW Llywelyn and Petroc projects can be delivered by 2027-2028 whilst at the same time allowing the regional supply chain to ramp up to help achieve the 1GW target”, said Carlos Martin, CEO of BlueFloat Energy.

The grid connection agreements for the floating wind farms were signed with National Grid in August and September 2021.

The sites, located in Welsh and English waters off the coasts of Pembrokeshire and Devon, have been selected following an extensive assessment process which included the review of protected areas, environmental impact, cable routing, existing infrastructure, marine traffic, and fishing activity, the developers said.

BlueFloat Energy and Falck Renewables, which already partnered earlier to develop floating offshore wind projects in Scotland and Italy, announced in October 2021 that they were also exploring opportunities for building floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea off the coast of Cornwall and Wales.

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With a 300 MW target installed capacity for each, Llywelyn and Petroc are not only in a position to make a significant contribution to meeting the 1 GW target for floating offshore wind in the UK by 2030, but also to be subsequently extended to provide capacity beyond 2030, according to the two companies.

“Ultimately, Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy believe that by continuing our working relationship with The Crown Estate and the local development community, we can deliver between 1 and 2GW of the 4GW 2035 target, ensuring that the Celtic Sea becomes one of the key European offshore wind zones”, Carlos Martin said.

Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy said they would select technologies that can maximise existing regional infrastructure while optimising new investments. The partnership added that it was actively engaged with the supply chain in Wales and the South West, and that it was planning on developing a local manufacturing base for offshore wind.

“Should Llywelyn and Petroc be consented, Wales and the South West will witness the birth of a new industry, where local businesses and communities will be the first to benefit. We have undertaken considerable outreach work with local port authorities and discussed the technical requirements for improving port infrastructure to help fulfil the specific requirements of the floating wind industry as we strive to maximise local content for Wales and the South West”, said Richard Dibley, Managing Director of Falck Renewables Wind.