RenewableUK Cymru has welcomed a new report from the Welsh Affairs Select Committee into the enormous economic and industrial opportunities which Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) offers to Wales if the right policies are put into place to capitalise on the benefits of this ground-breaking technology, in which the UK is already a world leader.
The Report sets out 12 recommendations including targets for development, leasing opportunities, supply chain growth, clarity of leadership, resourcing for planning and consenting bodies, a requirement to include local content as part of the Contracts for Difference conditions, and grid upgrades.
Commenting on the report, Jessica Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said:
“Floating wind offers a massive opportunity for Wales. We are pleased to see this report highlighting some of the key issues and barriers to its deployment in the Celtic Sea.
“Targets and a strategy for leasing will be fundamental to give certainty to investors and developers to ensure there is a pipeline of projects, which will in turn help to drive the supply chain. With the right framework in place, we can ensure growth of a local supply chain to ensure Wales fully benefits from floating wind, and that costs and bills are kept low for developers and billpayers. As well as being clear about the future pipeline for investors and Welsh supply chain companies, we must deliver reforms right away which will ensure we can get projects in Wales up and running. It is key to ensure that early-stage projects are offered Government contracts at a price that reflects the increased costs in the supply chain during these periods of economic change. We should also be accelerating solutions for grid infrastructure as soon as possible, given this is the greater barrier to the development of all renewable energy in Wales.”
“Collaborative working between the UK Government and Welsh Government is key to the future of floating wind in Wales and we will work with our members, and all concerned to facilitate this.”
Welsh Government Climate Change Minister, Julie James said:
“We are fully committed to the development of floating wind in Wales.
“We are a founding member of the Celtic Sea Cluster, which has been established to help drive market creation for floating wind, accelerate supply chain readiness and develop a strategy for enhancing regional infrastructure.
“We were pleased to provide evidence to the Committee and will look closely at the recommendations as we continue to work with industry and the UK Government to make Wales the powerhouse of floating wind.”
A full copy of the report can be viewed here
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