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Welsh government approves first floating wind farm

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The Erebus project will include seven next-generation 14MW turbines on WindFloat floating platforms (Credit: Principle Power)
The Erebus project will include seven next-generation 14MW turbines on WindFloat floating platforms (Credit: Principle Power)

The Welsh government has approved the country’s first planned floating wind farm.

Ministers granted the Section 36 consent with deemed planning permission to Blue Gem, a joint venture between energy company TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Group, to build and operate the Erebus project.

The 100MW wind farm, which will include seven next-generation 14MW turbines on floating platforms 40km off the Pembrokeshire coast, was recently granted a marine licence following an environmental impact assessment by Natural Resources Wales.

Mark Drakeford, first minister of Wales, 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 of our marine resources.

“In determining the marine licence and the planning consents, the Welsh government and our partners in Natural Resources Wales have enabled this project to move forward to apply for subsidy support from the UK government.

“I 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 waters, bringing jobs and green energy to our communities.”

Due to be commissioned in 2026, Erebus could be the first of several floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea. It will provide enough electricity to power 93,000 homes.

Mike Scott, project managing director at Blue Gem Wind, said: “We welcome the decision from Welsh ministers to grant the necessary planning consents for project Erebus, and have been working with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales and other key stakeholders since 2019 to develop a project that is sympathetic to the natural environment and minimises impacts to local communities and stakeholders. Erebus, which will be the first floating wind farm in Wales, will play a crucial role in advancing the deployment of what will become a globally important low-carbon technology.”


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