Welsh Government Backs Marine Power Systems’ Floating Wind Tech With GBP 8 Million
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The Welsh government has invested GBP 8 million (approximately EUR 9.4 million) in Marine Power Systems (MPS) to support the commercialisation of its floating offshore wind technology.
These three paragraphs add more detail to the story.
According to the company, the funding will accelerate the deployment of its PelaFlex platform, a floating wind solution designed for deep-water sites where conventional fixed-bottom foundations are not viable.
Marine Power Systems said the investment will help move the technology from advanced development towards commercial-scale deployment and manufacturing. The company also plans to expand its industrial and assembly capabilities in the UK.
The PelaFlex platform has been designed to simplify fabrication, installation and long-term operations while enabling wind farms to be located further offshore where wind speeds are typically stronger and more consistent, MPS says.
The offshore wind industry in Wales seems to be gearing up for a big expansion.
Gwynt Glas is the collective name for the three 1.5 GW floating wind farms in the Western Approaches and in Gwynt Glas And South Wales Ports Combine Strength In Preparation For Multi-Billion Floating Wind Industry, I describe the initial agreement that started the Gwynt Glas project.
To my mind, Associated British Ports and the wind farm developers are making sure they can carpet the Western Approaches, with offshore wind farms.
In Ocean Winds Enters Lease Agreement With Crown Estate For 1.5 GW Celtic Sea Floating Wind Project, I talk in general about the progress of the first three 1.5 GW floating wind farms in Gwynt Glas and in particular about leasing of the third wind farm.
These two posts, indicate that the Port of Port Talbot is preparing itself to produce the floaters for floating wind turbines.
- BW Ideol, ABP To Explore Serial Production Of Floating Wind Foundations At Port Talbot
- Two Ports Advance To Next Stage Of UK Gov Funding For Floating Wind
It certainly appears, that South Wales will be able to build the heavyweight gubbins for floating offshore wind.
According to Was South Wales Once The World’s Largest Coal Exporter? it was, and in 1913, the region produced 57 million tons of coal, with more than half exported.
It does look like South Wales is going to repeat the economic success with offshore energy.
I’ve heard tales from elderly Welshmen talking of the coal ships in the docks of South Wales and will we be seeing gas tankers in the docks of South Wales?
Ocean Winds Enters Lease Agreement With Crown Estate For 1.5 GW Celtic Sea Floating Wind Project
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
Ocean Winds has entered into an agreement for lease with the Crown Estate for a 1.5 GW floating offshore wind project, for which the developer secured a site in the Round 5 seabed auction last year.
These two paragraphs add detail to the story.
Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, the UK’s first dedicated floating wind seabed leasing round, was launched in February 2024, offering three areas. In June 2025, the Crown Estate announced Equinor and Gwynt Glas, a joint venture between EDF and ESB, as preferred developers for two project sites and said it was working to ensure the delivery of the full potential capacity of Round 5, which is up to 4.5 GW.
Equinor and Gwynt Glas entered into lease agreements for their floating wind projects in October 2025 and, the following month, the Crown Estate said Ocean Winds had secured the third floating offshore wind site in the Celtic Sea.
This map shows the three wind farms, that make up the Glynt Glas wind farm.
Note.
- It is expected to be built from and connect to the grid at Port Talbot in South Wales.
- The three sites are expected to be commissioned by the early-to-mid 2030s.
- The elongated white dot to the East of the wind farms would appear to be Lundy Island.
- The large bay to the North of Lundy is Carmarthen Bay with Caldey Island at its West end and Llanelli on its East.
- The Gower separates Swansea Bay from Carmarthen Bay.
This Google Map shows the Bristol Channel from the wind farms in the West to Cardiff and Hinkley Point.
Note.
- Along the North coast of the Bristol Channel, working from West to East, my 78-year-old eyes can pick out Milford Haven, Pembroke, Caldey Island, Tenby, Llanelli, Swansea, Port Talbot, Porthcawl, BridgendCaerphilly, Cardiff and Newport.
- Coming back along the South Coast, I can see Weston-super-Mare, Hinkley Point C and the tip of Lundy Island in line with Tenby.
- The three sections of Glynt Glas will each generate 1.5 GW, making a total of 4.5 GW.
- Hinkley Point C when completed, will be a 3.26 GW nuclear power station.
- There is also a 2.2 GW gas-fired power station at Pembroke.
Nearly 8 GW of renewable electricity should be enough to convert Port Talbot steelworks to the manufacture of green steel.
How Much Wind Power Is Planned For The Western Approaches?
I asked Google AI, the title of this section and received this answer.
The UK has a target of 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030, with significant projects planned for the Celtic Sea (part of the Western Approaches), which is a key area for 5 GW of floating wind. Total UK offshore wind pipeline capacity exceeds 93 GW, with major developments in this region focusing on floating technology.
Key details regarding wind power in the Western Approaches (specifically the Celtic Sea) include:
Celtic Sea Developments: The area is a primary focus for floating wind projects, designed to capitalize on deep-water potential, with 5 GW of floating wind expected to be deployed across the UK by 2030.
Pipeline and Capacity: The total UK pipeline for offshore wind, which includes the Western Approaches, is 93 GW, and the government is aiming for 43-50 GW of installed offshore capacity by 2030.
Project Status: The region is expected to benefit from the Crown Estate’s leasing rounds aimed at accelerating floating wind, with 15.4 GW of new projects submitted across the UK in 2024.
Wales/South West England Context: Wales has 1.4 GW of projects in the pre-application stage, with some potential for developments off the South West coast.
For more detailed information on specific projects and their development status, you can visit the RenewableUK website and RenewableUK website.
It looks like about 20 GW of offshore wind could be installed in the Western Approaches.
Gwynt Glas And South Wales Ports Combine Strength In Preparation For Multi-Billion Floating Wind Industry
The title of this post, is the same as that of this news item from the Gwynt Glas wind farm.
The news item starts with a spectacular image of a port, that is assembling floating wind turbines and these three paragraphs.
Gwynt Glas Offshore Wind Farm has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK’s largest port operator, Associated British Ports, and Wales’ largest energy port, the Port of Milford Haven, to ready the ports for the future needs of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
Gwynt Glas is a joint venture partnership between EDF Renewables UK and DP Energy. The proposed floating offshore wind farm would generate 1GW of low carbon green energy in the Celtic Sea.
Under the MoU, information and industry knowledge will be shared to investigate the potential opportunities for manufacture, assembly, load-out and servicing for the Gwynt Glas project from the key South Wales Ports of Port Talbot and Milford Haven. This collaborative approach demonstrates a major commitment to supporting economic growth, investment and maximising social value in the region.
Equinor, EDF-ESB Joint Venture Secure 1.5 GW Sites In UK Floating Wind Leasing Round
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
The Crown Estate has selected Equinor and Gwynt Glas, a joint venture between EDF Renewables UK and ESB, as preferred bidders in the seabed leasing round for floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea.
These two paragraphs give more details.
Selected on 12 June, each of the two developers was awarded 1.5 GW of capacity in their respective project development area (PDA) for an annual option fee of GBP 350/MW (approximately EUR 410/MW).
The Crown Estate launched the floating wind leasing round (Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5) in February 2024, offering three areas off the coasts of Wales and South West England for a total of up to 4.5 GW of installed capacity.
Note.
- It looks like the Crown Estate are working to get a contract for the third site.
- The ports of Bristol and Port Talbot could be handling the assembly of the floating turbines.
- The Crown Estate has also established a new strategic approach with the National Energy System Operator (NESO).
Given the problems some wind and solar farms have had to get connected, the Crown Estate’s link up with NESO could be attractive to developers?
Conclusion
This looks a good bit of business by the Crown Estate in the Celtic Sea.
Did they get NESO to be helpful, by asking senior people for tea with Charles and Camilla at Highgrove?
The Anonymous Widower 