The Welsh Government has announced that consent has been granted for Wales’ first floating windfarm.
Sitting 40 kilometres off the Pembrokeshire coast, Project will see seven next-generation 14MW turbines moved onto floating platforms as part of a project to transform the way that homes and businesses in Wales are powered. The development will provide enough energy to power four million homes, with further development potentially adding an extra 20 gigawatts off renewable energy.
The site is set to begin operating in 2026 and is part of the Welsh Government energy and energy security targets to more further away from dependent on fossil fuels.
Mark Drakeford, First Minister, said:
“We are ambitious for the floating offshore wind sector in Wales – we believe it has the potential to deliver sustainable sources of energy into the future and it is also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to open up new markets for local suppliers and to create thousands of high-quality jobs in Wales.
“The Erebus project has the potential to show the world that Wales and the Celtic Sea can deliver renewable energy alongside the sustainable management off our marine resources.
“In determining the marine license and the planning consent, the Welsh Government and our partners in Natural Resources Wales have enabled the project to move forward to apply for subsidy support from the UK government.
“I’d urge the UK government to do its part through the Contracts for Difference process to drive the industry forward by working with the Erebus team to secure the first floating offshore wind project in Welsh water, bringing jobs and green energy to our communities.”
