A public consultation has begun for a demonstration floating wind farm in the Celtic Sea.
Floventis Energy’s 100MW Llyr 1 project is a test and demonstration floating wind farm situated 36 km from the Welsh coastline, 55km from Lundy Island and 72km from the Devon coastline.
With work on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) underway, public consultation on Llyr 1 will run from Monday 15 January to Sunday 11 February 2024.
A virtual exhibition is also available as well as in situ events including at Pembroke Dock Community Learning Centre.
Floventis Energy then expects to submit an application for consent to construct and operate an offshore generating station, with deemed planning permission for onshore works, under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
This process is managed by Planning and Environmental Decisions Wales on behalf of Welsh Ministers.
In parallel, a Marine Licence will be applied for which is consented under Part 4 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
The Marine Licence is administered by Natural Resources Wales Marine Licensing Team.
This will allow the developer to build and operate Llyr 1.
Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 subject to the necessary consents.
Olivier Marchand, Project Director for the Llyr projects said: “With consistently high average wind speeds and good access to local ports and supply chain partners for construction and operations, the Celtic Sea gives Wales the opportunity to become a global leader in floating offshore wind.
“Our pathfinder project will pilot the development, construction, installation and operation of floating offshore wind.
“We have worked hard over the last year to engage widely with the local community, supply chain and consultees.
“This is now a formal opportunity for the public to have their say on Llyr 1 and to let us know if there is anything else that we should consider about Llyr 1 – both offshore and onshore – as part of this work.
“The feedback received during this consultation will inform our detailed design of Llyr 1.”
Floventis is a joint venture formed in 2021 by Cierco and SBM Offshore.