Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Second Report - Floating Offshore Wind in Wales
Welsh Affairs Committee
HC 1182
Published 8 March 2023
Recommendations
3
Acknowledged
Para 21
The UK Government must set targets for floating offshore wind beyond 2030 up to 2045.
Recommendation
The UK Government must set targets for floating offshore wind beyond 2030 up to 2045. Alongside these targets it should work with The Crown Estate to provide visibility on future leasing opportunities in the Celtic Sea beyond the current leasing …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the impact that deployment ambitions can have for renewable energy deployment, but retains the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. It will continue to review its plans and work with industry through the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce to tackle barriers to deployment and enable collaboration in the industry.
Wales Office
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5
Acknowledged
The UK Government should work with the Welsh Government to identify the staffing and resourcing...
Recommendation
The UK Government should work with the Welsh Government to identify the staffing and resourcing requirements of consenting bodies necessary for the delivery of floating offshore wind at pace. Subsequent to this review, both governments should bring forward a joint …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for environmental and biodiversity specialists and highlights the Net Zero Skills and Workforce Action Plan due in 2024, as well as the Welsh Government's review of marine licensing and consenting processes.
Wales Office
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12
Acknowledged
Para 53
The UK Government should set out a clear timeline for the allocation of FLOWMIS and...
Recommendation
The UK Government should set out a clear timeline for the allocation of FLOWMIS and commit to ensuring Welsh ports receive at least half of the available funding.
Government Response Summary
The government states FLOWMIS opened for applications on 30th March 2023 and that funding awards will be based on a project’s ability to demonstrate value for money and their ability to meet the strategic objectives of the scheme, but does not commit to a timeline or specific allocation for Welsh ports.
Wales Office
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14
Acknowledged
To provide ports with the confidence to make long-term investments in infrastructure The Crown Estate...
Recommendation
To provide ports with the confidence to make long-term investments in infrastructure The Crown Estate should set further targets for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea beyond its initial target of 4GW. Alongside this the UK Government should set …
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Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce’s recently published “Industry Roadmap 2040” and will continue to work with the sector, through bodies such as the Floating Offshore Wind Task Force and the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), to understand future port investment requirements and timescales. The Crown Estate intends to provide further detail with regard to future Celtic Sea leasing at its next market update.
Wales Office
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16
Acknowledged
Para 68
Wider decarbonisation goals should be considered when planning grid infrastructure.
Recommendation
Wider decarbonisation goals should be considered when planning grid infrastructure. The UK Government should continue to appraise National Grid ESO’s Holistic Network Design and follow-up exercise with this in mind and ensure opportunities for decarbonisation in Wales are not missed …
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Government Response Summary
The Government will continue to address recommendations to improve anticipatory investment and strategic planning of the networks through the work outlined in the Holistic Network Design (HND) and upcoming Future Framework Government Consultation Response. The HND offers a recommended design to enable the connection of 18 new offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of 23GW and will be complemented by the Holistic Network Design Follow Up Exercise, which will provide recommendations for the connection of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
Wales Office
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Conclusions (5)
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 14
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. …
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.
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 20
Developers need long-term targets and a clear pipeline of projects to unlock investment. Fully delivering on the opportunities for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea will require a high level of coordination across government and among public bodies. Given the scale and significance of this opportunity the UK Government …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of long-term targets and coordination, highlighting its commitment to deploying up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and its work with the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce.
6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 32
We recognise that investment in local supply chains must be balanced against accelerating programme delivery, bringing costs down for consumers and compliance with international treaty obligations. However, the potential for wealth Floating Offshore Wind in Wales 29 and job creation in Wales from floating offshore wind is too great to …
Government Response Summary
The government recognizes the potential for wealth and job creation in Wales from floating offshore wind and welcomes The Crown Estate’s requirement for developers to provide supply chain investment plans as part of their bid for a lease, and the need for these plans to be commitments.
10
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 48
Developing regional port infrastructure for the manufacture and assembly of floating offshore wind components will require significant investment but will be necessary for local supply chains and jobs. The full economic benefits of floating offshore wind should go to the region and not be lost overseas. To ensure this happens …
Government Response Summary
The government states the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) opened for applications on 30th March 2023 and any funding awards will be based on a project’s ability to demonstrate value for money and their ability to meet the strategic objectives of the scheme.
11
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 52
FLOWMIS will be critical for unlocking private sector investment in Welsh ports and making them ready for floating offshore wind. Investors require certainty on the UK Government’s commitment to this funding.
Government Response Summary
The government states the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS) opened for applications on 30th March 2023 and any funding awards will be based on a project’s ability to demonstrate value for money and their ability to meet the strategic objectives of the scheme.