Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 14
Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea will not only be key to meeting the...
Conclusion
Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea will not only be key to meeting the UK’s Net Zero targets, it also presents an opportunity to bring significant investment into Wales and provide high quality jobs. If first-mover advantage can be seized for Wales the economic opportunity will be exponentially greater. We heard real enthusiasm and appetite from industry to seize the opportunities of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, which we agree presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for the region. This appetite and level of ambition from industry must be matched by the UK Government, which should commit to driving this opportunity forward at pace as a project of national importance.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the opportunity presented by floating offshore wind and highlights its commitment to deploying up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and its work with the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce.
Paragraph Reference:
14
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero leads on energy policy for the UK, including on the ambition set out in the British Energy Security Strategy to deploy up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, including up to 5GW of floating offshore wind. The Department is also responsible for the UK’s primary method to support the deployment of renewable energy projects, the Contracts for Difference scheme. We will continue to work with industry through the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce to tackle barriers to deployment and enable collaboration in the industry, to create the right environment for investment. The Government recognises the positive impact that deployment ambitions can have for renewable energy deployment. This is demonstrated by our world leading ambition for up to 5GW of floating offshore wind by 2030. Technology deployment ambitions aim to provide confidence to the market to enable investment, however, these benefits must be balanced against a need to observe how emerging technologies develop over time, to ensure we can deliver a low-cost, efficient net zero consistent electricity system. The Powering Up Britain: Energy Security Plan sets out the steps the Government is taking to ensure the UK is more energy independent, secure and resilient. Our strategy to increase supply of low-carbon energy is dependent on enhancing our strengths in wind, solar and nuclear power generation alongside hydrogen production and carbon capture, usage and storage. We aim to remove barriers and address blockages, whilst developing new options, but determining the exact configuration of the future energy system is not sensible. We need to retain the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, develop market frameworks that incentivise a low- cost, reliable system and provide the opportunity for innovation to develop new approaches and drive down costs. We will continue to review our plans, drawing on advice from experts to test our approach and adjust our course to ensure that we remain on track to deliver our objective for a reliable, low-cost energy system, one which remains consistent with our net zero target. Delivery of the commitments in the Energy Security Plan will be in accordance with the devolution settlements with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.