Total has signed an agreement with Simply Blue Energy to develop floating wind projects in Welsh waters in the Celtic Sea.
The first development by Total and Simply Blue Energy will be Erebus, a 96MW demonstration project in water depths of 70 metres, for which an application has already been submitted to the Crown Estate.
The project will be developed using Principle Power’s Windfloat technology.
Simply Blue Energy has established an office in Pembroke, in Wales, to work with the local supply chain on the opportunities created by this project.
In a recent report, the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has advised that there could be as much as 50GW of electricity capacity available in the Celtic Sea in Irish and UK waters.
ORE Catapult estimates that the first gigawatt of offshore wind in the Celtic Sea could potentially deliver 3000 jobs and £682m in supply chain opportunities for Wales and Cornwall over the next decade.
Total chairman and chief executive Patrick Pouyanne said: “With its entry into floating offshore wind, Total confirms its ambition to contribute to the development of renewable energy worldwide.
“Floating offshore wind is an extremely promising and technical segment where Total brings its extensive expertise in offshore operations and maintenance.
“Total has the appropriate skills to meet the technological and financial requirements that determine the success of future floating offshore developments.”
Simply Blue Energy managing director Sam Roch-Perks added: “We are delighted to have signed the agreement with Total.
“Together we will progress the first stepping-stone projects that will allow the local supply chain to build up their capabilities to help deliver the larger projects that will be developed for the 2030s.
“It is like being in Aberdeen in the 1960s except from Pembroke we look out onto a sea that can deliver wind energy, helping the UK reach its 2050 net-zero target.”
Welsh Government Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “I’m very pleased to be able to welcome this announcement by Total and Simply Blue Energy – and am very happy to be able to welcome Total’s new investment to Wales, as they look to take part in this potentially far-reaching partnership within the floating offshore wind sector.
“The Erebus project represents not only a huge step towards our ambitious climate goals here in Wales, as we look to tackle the impact of climate change, but will also represent a huge low-carbon inward investment into Wales, as we move towards a stronger green economy and provide new supply chain opportunities to businesses within the region.
“Projects such as these will form the backbone of a prosperous low carbon economy, and will be powered by Welsh ingenuity and innovation.
“I’m also pleased to note that the Erebus project will see strong connections with the Pembroke Dock Marine project – which will see £60m in investment brought to south-west Wales and help boost the capacities and capabilities of Welsh companies in the marine and green energy sectors.”