An RWE-funded study has identified supply chain opportunities for Wales and the region from Celtic Sea floating wind.
The study, funded by RWE, was carried out by Swansea-based Marine Power Systems, which is developing a floating wind platform solution called PelaFlex for industrial-scale application.
The first phase of the study showed that the shallow waters and harsh metocean conditions in the Celtic Sea bring unique engineering challenges compared to other global floating wind markets.
It said these can be solved using “robust solutions” which are optimised for these conditions, such as are found in the MPS Pelaflex foundation.
The study uses execution strategies of the MPS Pelaflex from a range of infrastructure deployment options, demonstrating the versatility of the technology.
High tidal ranges and metocean conditions are particular challenges of the Celtic Sea, demonstrating need for local ports to facilitate the deployment of floating offshore wind.
Whilst several regional ports have the physical and locational potential to support floating wind in the Celtic Sea, significant strategic investment decisions are urgently required to champion a leading ‘hub’ port to accommodate the emerging technology.
A port with the right capabilities will be key to maximizing local content opportunities – without investment in those capabilities, the full potential of local supply chain will not be reached, concluded the study.
RWE is working Marine Power Systems to help prove the Pelaflex platform’s capabilities in the Celtic Sea marine environment.
RWE is preparing to bid into the Crown Estate’s forthcoming Celtic Sea seabed leasing auction later this year, where up to 4GW of floating wind will be awarded.
In anticipation, the company has prepared a supply chain initiative which will be unveiled soon and which is aimed at fostering innovation and maximising opportunities for local companies.
Tom Glover, RWE’s UK Country Chair, said: “The study shows there is clear potential for Wales and the region to benefit from the multi-billion pound economic opportunity that the Celtic Sea represents.”