RenewableUK Cymru has welcomed a new report from the Welsh Affairs Select Committee into the economic and industrial opportunities which Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) offers to Wales.
The report sets out 12 recommendations including targets for development, leasing opportunities, supply chain growth, clarity of leadership, resourcing for planning and consenting bodies, a requirement to include local content as part of the Contracts for Difference conditions, and grid upgrades.
Jessica Hooper, director of RenewableUK Cymru (pictured), said: “Floating wind offers a massive opportunity for Wales.
“We are pleased to see this report highlighting some of the key issues and barriers to its deployment in the Celtic Sea.
“Targets and a strategy for leasing will be fundamental to give certainty to investors and developers to ensure there is a pipeline of projects, which will in turn help to drive the supply chain.
“With the right framework in place, we can ensure growth of a local supply chain to ensure Wales fully benefits from floating wind, and that costs and bills are kept low for developers and billpayers.
“As well as being clear about the future pipeline for investors and Welsh supply chain companies, we must deliver reforms right away which will ensure we can get projects in Wales up and running.
“It is key to ensure that early-stage projects are offered Government contracts at a price that reflects the increased costs in the supply chain during these periods of economic change.
“We should also be accelerating solutions for grid infrastructure as soon as possible, given this is the greater barrier to the development of all renewable energy in Wales.
“Collaborative working between the UK Government and Welsh Government is key to the future of floating wind in Wales and we will work with our members, and all concerned to facilitate this.”