Up to £64m of government funding will support the development of Port Talbot as the Celtic Sea’s first port developed specifically to support floating offshore wind.
The new port will enable at least 4.5 gigawatts of floating offshore wind power in the Celtic Sea, providing clean, homegrown electricity, helping to protect households from volatile fossil fuel markets and creating up to 5,000 new jobs.
The new initiative builds on the UK Government’s commitment to support Port Talbot’s steel industry and regenerate the town, with all £122m of funding allocated to training Tata Steel workers and businesses.
The funding will enable Associated British Ports (ABP) to complete the significant design and engineering work required to build one of the UK’s first floating offshore wind farms at Port Talbot.
Why the Celtic Sea?
The Celtic Sea offers the best conditions for floating offshore wind power in Europe.
Unlike traditional offshore wind farms, floating turbines are located in deep water and can take advantage of stronger and more stable wind speeds.
The funding is the latest decisive action by the UK Government to secure Port Talbot’s industrial future and includes supporting Tata Steel with £500 million to deliver a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace, ensuring Port Talbot remains a steel producing town.
“This is a significant moment for Port Talbot and a major step forward for Wales’ growing clean energy industry,” said Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales.
“This investment will further cement Port Talbot as a future industrial hub and herald the next chapter in jobs and investment for the region.”
Military conflict increases the need for energy independence
The Middle East conflict shows that if Britain continues to rely on fossil fuel markets without domestic control, families and businesses will continue to pay the price.
The only way to take back control of Britain’s energy and permanently lower our prices is to use clean, home-grown electricity.
Funding for Port Talbot is another step towards learning the right lessons from conflict, while bringing jobs and future industry to South Wales.
Economic benefits of floating offshore wind power generation
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “From Port Talbot’s floating offshore wind farm to Wylfa’s new generation of small modular nuclear reactors, this Government is putting Wales at the heart of our mission to become a clean energy superpower.”
“We are helping deep, windy Wales take a leap forward in floating offshore wind. This pioneering industry will support thousands of good jobs, drive growth across the country and unlock the potential of the next generation of clean, captive power generation.”
In addition to securing the future of steel manufacturing, the UK Government has earmarked Port Talbot as the home of Celtic Freeport, which will bring thousands of new jobs.
Clean steelmaking, the development of Celtic Freeport and the expansion of floating offshore wind power put Port Talbot firmly at the heart of South Wales’ growing clean energy economy, supporting thousands of new high-quality jobs and helping to deliver Britain’s clean power mission.
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