A major leap has been taken towards establishing one of the world’s largest floating offshore windfarms in Welsh waters, with turbines set to rival the height of London’s iconic Shard. The Crown Estate has unveiled the successful bidders for two significant windpower developments in the Celtic Sea, marking great progress for the region’s green energy ambitions.
Equinor, the Norwegian energy giant, and Gwynt Glas—a partnership between EDF Renewables UK and Irish state-owned ESB—have been awarded preferred status for these ambitious projects. While Gwynt Glas’ development will be located off the west Wales coast, Equinor will lead an installation off Cornwall’s shores. Together, these ventures represent the vanguard of large-scale renewable energy production in the area.
The leasing process concluded with each chosen bidder agreeing to pay an annual option fee of £350 per megawatt, which equates to at least £525,000 per year, as they progress toward bringing their plans to fruition. However, a third proposed windfarm stretching across both English and Welsh waters failed to attract a suitable bidder this round. The Crown Estate has stated it will seek to unlock the site’s full capacity by the end of September, leaving open the question of whether it may pursue development directly.
Despite enthusiasm, the first phase will deliver 3 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity, falling short of the initial 4.5 GW target. Nevertheless, these projects are expected to create enough electricity to serve more than a million homes and generate upwards of 5,000 new jobs. The economic input is believed to be worth around £1.5 billion, offering a substantial boost to local industry and communities.
Next steps involve detailed planning procedures and securing ‘contracts for difference’ from the UK government, which will help guarantee a viable price for the renewable energy produced. Key locations identified for the assembly and maintenance of the floating wind structures include Port Talbot, benefiting from its freeport status, and the city of Bristol. The turbines themselves could tower as high as 300 metres—matching The Shard’s height—and will be supported on floating platforms as large as football pitches, anchored by immense chains fixed to the seabed.
Dan Labbad, chief executive of The Crown Estate, reflected on the milestone by highlighting the UK’s 25-year journey in offshore wind. “The selection of our new partners in the Celtic Sea is testament to the sustained progress in this sector, and underlines both confidence in the technology and the UK as a destination for investment,” he noted. Labbad pointed out that the Estate’s investment of up to £400 million in the supply chain stands to benefit the nation’s energy resilience and future prosperity.
Government ministers have echoed the positive sentiment. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated, “Floating offshore wind will transform the economies of Wales and the South West, generating jobs and reinforcing our energy security.” Wales Secretary Jo Stevens emphasised the wider impact, calling the decision “hugely significant for clean energy in Wales, promising more affordable bills and a stable homegrown energy supply.” She also highlighted the potential for “thousands of new, well-paid jobs” to arise from what she described as a robust commitment to Wales’ energy workforce.
Welsh government figures are already working to ensure that the region makes the most of this industrial opportunity. Economy Secretary Rebecca Evans stressed that the project “marks the start of a new era,” with focused efforts to position Wales at the forefront of the energy transition.
Looking ahead, the windfarms are projected to be among the globe’s largest of their kind and signal just the beginning, as The Crown Estate sees scope for a further 4 to 10 GW in the Celtic Sea over the next decade. Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK, expressed his enthusiasm, stating the Gwynt Glas team are keen to sustain the UK’s lead in floating wind and help achieve net zero climate goals.
The development of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea signals not just another technical triumph for Wales and its partners, but also paves the way for long-lasting economic and environmental gains for the UK as a whole. The coming years will reveal just how transformative this sector could be for coastal communities and the nation’s clean energy landscape.