Government provides up to £64M for Port Talbot floating wind hub

The funding, which is subject to final clearance by the Competition and Markets Authority, will be complemented by investment by ABP.

The funding will enable ABP to complete the design and engineering work needed to build one of the first floating offshore wind ports in the UK at Port Talbot. The Celtic Sea offers some of the best conditions for floating offshore wind in Europe.

The agreement was marked by a visit by the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, and Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey, to Port Talbot. The visit marked a major milestone in plans to transform Port Talbot into an industrial hub for floating offshore wind, providing the large-scale manufacturing, assembly and marshalling capacity required to deliver gigawatt-scale projects.

The development will ensure the region plays a central role in enabling projects awarded through the recent Celtic Sea leasing round and in securing long-term investment, supply chain growth and high-quality jobs across South Wales and the wider region.

ABP chief executive Henrik Pedersen said, “Agreeing terms on government support is a critical step towards further ABP investment at Port Talbot, establishing the port as a cornerstone of the Celtic Sea floating offshore wind industry. This development will drive industrial regeneration, support thousands of skilled jobs and ensure Wales and the UK capture the full economic benefit of this emerging sector.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said, “With its deep waters and strong winds, we are supporting Wales to storm ahead in floating offshore wind, a pioneering industry that will support thousands of good jobs, drive growth across the country and unlock the next generation of clean, homegrown power.”

The Secretary of State for Wales said the agreement was “a significant moment for Port Talbot and a major step forward for the growing clean energy industry in Wales.”

Developers with interests in the Celtic Sea have also welcomed the progress made at Port Talbot. The agreement between the UK government and ABP was also welcomed by The Crown Estate, the manager of the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.