EDF Renewables UK is entering into a partnership with Irish renewable energy developer ESB, and global offshore wind investor Reventus Power to develop Gwynt Glas Floating Offshore Wind Farm in the Celtic Sea.
The partnership sees EDF Renewables UK, ESB and Reventus Power each owning a 33.33% share.
The partnership expects to bid in The Crown Estate’s Leasing Round 5.
DP Energy will remain a development partner in the project, leveraging their local presence and engagement.
The Gwynt Glas project team has been active in the Celtic Sea region for some time and made significant progress in maximising the opportunity including hosting supply chain events and successfully implementing an award-winning programme to inspire the future workforce, Destination Renewables.
Matthieu Hue, chief executive of EDF Renewables UK said: “We are delighted to welcome ESB and Reventus Power onboard as our new joint venture partners to Gwynt Glas.
“We already work with ESB on other projects, including Neart na Gaoithe, our offshore wind farm, currently under construction in the Firth of Forth and the Stornoway onshore wind farm in the Western Isles.
“We have a close relationship with the Reventus Power team, having a worked with them on Provence Grand Large, France’s first floating offshore wind farm.
“We are fully committed to developing Gwynt Glas Floating Offshore Wind Farm, and look forward to delivering clean energy, supporting skilled jobs and boosting local economies.”
Jim Dollard, executive director for generation trading at ESB, added: “ESB is delighted to be joining two experienced partners in a collective effort to secure seabed rights in The Crown Estate Round 5 seabed allocation process.
“As ESB drives towards its Net Zero by 2040 target, it is recognised that offshore wind will be a crucial contributor to that goal. Floating offshore wind in particular has the potential to really turn the dial, not just here in the UK but also in Ireland where we have one of the best floating offshore wind resources in the world.
“I look forward to growing our relationship with EDF Renewables UK and I welcome the opportunity to work with Reventus Power.”
Michael van der Heijden, chief executive of Reventus Power, said: “We are delighted to join with EDF Renewables and ESB, two industry leading players, in the Gwynt Glas consortium.
“Together with our partners, we bring a deep understanding of the floating offshore wind market and we look forward to participating in the forthcoming UK Round 5 Leasing Round.
“As Reventus Power expands its global offshore wind portfolio, this Celtic Sea opportunity aligns with our ambitions to originate and invest in the development of high quality offshore wind projects globally.”