Select Committee · Welsh Affairs Committee

Floating Offshore Wind in Wales

Status: Closed Opened: 20 Oct 2022 Closed: 16 Oct 2023 8 recommendations 10 conclusions 2 reports

The Welsh Affairs Committee will be holding two evidence session exploring floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea, as the UK seeks to harness its renewable energy potential.

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Reports

2 reports
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Floating Offshore Wind in Wales HC 1182 8 Mar 2023 18 Responded
Fel y bo'r angen Ar y Môr Gwynt yng Nghymru - Crynodeb 8 Mar 2023 0 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

6 items
4 Conclusion Second Report - Floating Offshore Wind … Accepted

Consenting bodies will face a significant ramp-up in applications from developers of floating offshore wind...

Consenting bodies will face a significant ramp-up in applications from developers of floating offshore wind projects. In order to process these applications in a timely and coordinated manner and accelerate the delivery of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea it will be critical for these consenting bodies to be …

Government response. The government references reports from Tim Pick and the Welsh government regarding skills, and states that the renewables industry is working within the Green Jobs Delivery Group to develop the Net Zero Skills and Workforce Action Plan, and that the …
Wales Office
8 Conclusion Second Report - Floating Offshore Wind … Accepted

Given the importance of ensuring local supply chains benefit from floating offshore wind it will...

Given the importance of ensuring local supply chains benefit from floating offshore wind it will be essential for supply chain requirements in Contracts for Difference auctions to be enforceable and brought into alignment with The Crown Estate’s leasing rounds. Contracts for Difference auction parameters must also take into account increased …

Government response. The government is working with The Crown Estate to coordinate their approach to supply chains, and future policy will be designed to maximize the development of a healthy, sustainable and secure Floating Offshore Wind supply chain, and that government makes …
Wales Office
13 Conclusion Second Report - Floating Offshore Wind … Accepted

A consistent theme throughout our inquiry was the need for long-term certainty to provide confidence...

A consistent theme throughout our inquiry was the need for long-term certainty to provide confidence to the sector and unlock investment. Much of this investment is likely to go to Port Talbot and the Port of Milford Haven which are set to play a key role in the delivery of …

Government response. The government welcomes the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce’s Roadmap and the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme is open to applications, and will continue to work with the sector and will remove barriers to help modernise The Crown Estate’s investment …
Wales Office
15 Conclusion Second Report - Floating Offshore Wind … Accepted

We recognise the benefits of a grid planned strategically for the whole of Great Britain.

We recognise the benefits of a grid planned strategically for the whole of Great Britain. However, the UK’s decarbonisation efforts should also be planned strategically and there are distinct opportunities that arise from ensuring floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea connects into Wales. This is the case particularly given …

Government response. The government states it is already addressing grid capacity constraints and strategically planning network infrastructure through the Holistic Network Design (HND) and upcoming Future Framework Government Consultation Response, including consideration of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
Wales Office
17 Recommendation Second Report - Floating Offshore Wind … Accepted

Strategic planning of grid infrastructure will be essential for accommodating future GW targets in the...

Strategic planning of grid infrastructure will be essential for accommodating future GW targets in the Celtic Sea. National Grid ESO have stated that proposals on how to develop the network in the region will be given when more detail is known on the capacity and location of future floating offshore …

Government response. The government will deliver anticipatory investment through Ofgem's price control, allocating £3.1bn for network upgrades, and has appointed an Electricity Networks Commissioner to advise on further improvements, with an action plan due later in the year.
Wales Office
18 Conclusion Second Report - Floating Offshore Wind … Accepted

Long-term targets and a clear roadmap for delivery, as recommended elsewhere in this report, should...

Long-term targets and a clear roadmap for delivery, as recommended elsewhere in this report, should be provided at the earliest opportunity to assist National Grid ESO in planning for improvements to grid infrastructure. Alongside this, the UK Government should continue to appraise National Grid ESO’s proposals, ensure these are fit …

Government response. The government states it is working with Ofgem and network companies to deliver anticipatory investment, and that Ofgem's price control will fund investment in the network for new connections, and has appointed an Electricity Networks Commissioner to advise on how …
Wales Office

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
19 Jan 2023 Edward Sherriff · Welsh Government, Julie James MS · Welsh Government View ↗
8 Dec 2022 Julie James MS · Welsh Government View ↗
23 Nov 2022 Dr Nicola Higgins · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy View ↗
26 Oct 2022 Dan McGrail · Renewable UK, Gus Jaspert · The Crown Estate, Henrik Pedersen · Associated British Ports, Mike Scott · Blue Gem Wind, Tim Pick · Offshore Wind Acceleration Taskforce, Tim Stiven · The Crown Estate, Tom Glover · RWE, Tom Sawyer · Port of Milford Haven View ↗