RWE, Wales’ biggest power producer, is partnering with the UK’s largest port operator, Associated British Ports (ABP) and UK’s largest energy port, the Port of Milford Haven, to investigate the scaling-up of port facilities in support of a pipeline of gigawatt-scale floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea.
Working together under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the industry leaders will investigate the potential for transforming infrastructure at ABP Port Talbot and Pembroke Dock into hubs for the manufacture, assembly and loadout of high-tech floating wind turbines and foundations, bound for the Celtic Sea, as well as floating operation & maintenance capability. The collaboration demonstrates a major commitment from all three companies to share knowledge and expertise, in support of broader industrial growth and investment in Wales.
Rhys Wyn Jones, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said:
“This is an exciting development. Ultimately, translating huge potential of floating wind in the Celtic Sea and the UK hinges on clear sight among would-be investors of a pipeline of projects which embeds supply chain development through to full commercial scale. This will be drive by strategic collaborative endeavour between key players but crucially will also require aligning leasing, consenting and grid responses across relevant areas of the UK.”
Further information about the Memorandum of Understanding is available here.