Source Energie is targeting a second a gigawatt-scale floating offshore wind farm in the Celtic Sea known as Myrddin that could include green hydrogen production capabilities.
The development would be to the south of, and follow a similar development process to, its planned Dylan project, which is planned for 300MW capacity by 2028 and expanded to gigawatt-scale in the 2030s.
Green hydrogen production would be enabled by the use of Dolphyn technology, with the fuel transported directly back to shore via pipeline.
Source Energie has been carrying out aerial bird and mammal surveys of the development area this year, building on early site constraint assessments undertaken in 2021.
It said it welcomes the recent alignment between The Crown Estate’s Search Areas 1 and 3 with the Dylan and Myrddin development areas it has targeted for hydrogen production.
The activity comes ahead of a mid-2023 competitive tender that will allocate leasing opportunities for offshore wind development in the Celtic Sea.
“The Celtic Sea offers a unique opportunity for large scale power production from offshore wind,” said Source Energie CEO Kevin Lynch.
“Offshore wind is now more important than ever and Source Energie is excited to see the plans in the Celtic Sea become more tangible with The Crown Estate announcing the key target areas for large scale floating wind projects.
“The Celtic Sea is a strategic location for power generation with optimal conditions for floating offshore wind projects. We look forward to working with all the relevant stakeholders to take our plans forward.”
ERM Dolphyn director Steve Matthews added: “We are delighted that low carbon hydrogen is at the centre of The Crown Estate’s proposals for the Celtic Sea.
“The Dylan and Myrddin projects being advanced by Source Energie will enable Dolphyn to take a world leading position in offshore low carbon hydrogen production, helping the UK to achieve its net-zero ambitions, whilst also improving its energy security.”