Celtic Sea Power has secured funding from The Crown Estate’s £50m supply chain pot to develop a new UK offshore hub.
CSP said the investment will accelerate and de-risk development of the new Offshore Coordination Centre for the Celtic Sea, which it is developing in partnership with Treveth.
It is hoped the centre will eventually support the construction and operation of floating offshore wind (Flow) in the Celtic Sea from Cornwall.
Situated close to Newquay Airport, the centre will provide a critical hub to oversee maritime, aviation and logistical activities – vital if Flow is to be delivered, CSP said.
Chief operating officer at CSP Matt Hodson said: “We’re delighted to receive this support for our hub concept and thrilled to see that four other Cornish companies also received support from The Crown Estate to develop their investment propositions.”
The money has been awarded through The Crown Estate’s £50m Supply Chain Accelerator fund.
The Crown Estate’s offshore wind strategy director Will Apps said: “It’s fantastic to announce the successful organisations receiving funding through our Supply Chain Accelerator.
“We’ve been encouraged by the level of interest the Accelerator has generated in the market and are delighted with the calibre and range of projects which we’ll be supporting.
“The purpose of the Accelerator is to help grow and nurture the UK’s domestic supply chain, a crucial factor if the UK is to realise the potential of offshore wind in delivering its ambitious clean power and net-zero goals, contributing to jobs and prosperity in communities across the UK.”
CSP said its Offshore Coordination Centre has received support from several Flow developers keen to see a strategically located hub with good infrastructure, connectivity and the potential for wider development in the future.
The project also has key local support from St Austell and Newquay MP Noah Law, who said: “It’s great to see the Crown Estate recognising the potential of our local supply chains and supporting jobs in Cornwall when it comes to floating offshore wind.”
CSP said as well as helping to build the capability and capacity of the UK Flow supply chain, the centre will support the country’s wider goal of bolstering energy security and expanding renewable energy generation.