Floating Offshore Wind in Wales

Welsh Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 20 Oct 2022 Closed: 16 Oct 2023 Parliament page
The Welsh Affairs Committee will be holding two evidence session exploring floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea, as the UK seeks to harness its renewable energy potential.
8 Recommendations
10 Conclusions
2 Reports
4 Oral sessions
4 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
26 May
2023
Report published
26 May
2023
Report published
8 Mar
2023
Report published
8 Mar
2023
Report published
19 Jan
2023
Oral evidence
19 Jan
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
8 Dec
2022
Oral evidence
8 Dec
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
23 Nov
2022
Oral evidence
23 Nov
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
26 Oct
2022
Oral evidence
26 Oct
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
19 Jan 2023
View on parliament.uk
Edward Sherriff · Welsh Government Julie James MS · Welsh Government
8 Dec 2022
View on parliament.uk
Julie James MS · Welsh Government
23 Nov 2022
View on parliament.uk
Dr Nicola Higgins · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
26 Oct 2022
View on parliament.uk
Dan McGrail · Renewable UK Gus Jaspert · The Crown Estate Henrik Pedersen · Associated British Ports Mike Scott · Blue Gem Wind Tim Pick · Offshore Wind Acceleration Taskforce Tim Stiven · The Crown Estate Tom Glover · RWE Tom Sawyer · Port of Milford Haven
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
4 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - Floating Offshore …
Consenting bodies will face a significant ramp-up in applications from developers of floating offshore wind...
Consenting bodies will face a significant ramp-up in applications from developers of floating offshore wind projects. In order to process these applications in a timely and coordinated manner and accelerate the delivery of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea … Read more
Government Response
The government references reports from Tim Pick and the Welsh government regarding skills, and states that the renewables industry is working within the Green Jobs Delivery Group to develop the Net Zero Skills and Workforce Action Plan, and that the Welsh Government has undertaken an end-to-end review of marine licensing and consenting processes with a final report expected at the end of October.
Wales Office
View details
8 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - Floating Offshore …
Given the importance of ensuring local supply chains benefit from floating offshore wind it will...
Given the importance of ensuring local supply chains benefit from floating offshore wind it will be essential for supply chain requirements in Contracts for Difference auctions to be enforceable and brought into alignment with The Crown Estate’s leasing rounds. Contracts … Read more
Government Response
The government is working with The Crown Estate to coordinate their approach to supply chains, and future policy will be designed to maximize the development of a healthy, sustainable and secure Floating Offshore Wind supply chain, and that government makes decisions about CfD auction design considering a wide range of evidence.
Wales Office
View details
13 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - Floating Offshore …
A consistent theme throughout our inquiry was the need for long-term certainty to provide confidence...
A consistent theme throughout our inquiry was the need for long-term certainty to provide confidence to the sector and unlock investment. Much of this investment is likely to go to Port Talbot and the Port of Milford Haven which are … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce’s Roadmap and the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme is open to applications, and will continue to work with the sector and will remove barriers to help modernise The Crown Estate’s investment capability to help unlock investment and growth in key sectors.
Wales Office
View details
15 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - Floating Offshore …
We recognise the benefits of a grid planned strategically for the whole of Great Britain.
We recognise the benefits of a grid planned strategically for the whole of Great Britain. However, the UK’s decarbonisation efforts should also be planned strategically and there are distinct opportunities that arise from ensuring floating offshore wind in the Celtic … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is already addressing grid capacity constraints and strategically planning network infrastructure through the Holistic Network Design (HND) and upcoming Future Framework Government Consultation Response, including consideration of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
Wales Office
View details
17 Recommendation Accepted
Second Report - Floating Offshore …
Strategic planning of grid infrastructure will be essential for accommodating future GW targets in the...
Strategic planning of grid infrastructure will be essential for accommodating future GW targets in the Celtic Sea. National Grid ESO have stated that proposals on how to develop the network in the region will be given when more detail is … Read more
Government Response
The government will deliver anticipatory investment through Ofgem's price control, allocating £3.1bn for network upgrades, and has appointed an Electricity Networks Commissioner to advise on further improvements, with an action plan due later in the year.
Wales Office
View details
18 Conclusion Accepted
Second Report - Floating Offshore …
Long-term targets and a clear roadmap for delivery, as recommended elsewhere in this report, should...
Long-term targets and a clear roadmap for delivery, as recommended elsewhere in this report, should be provided at the earliest opportunity to assist National Grid ESO in planning for improvements to grid infrastructure. Alongside this, the UK Government should continue … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is working with Ofgem and network companies to deliver anticipatory investment, and that Ofgem's price control will fund investment in the network for new connections, and has appointed an Electricity Networks Commissioner to advise on how to speed up consenting and regulatory approvals and will respond with an action plan later this year.
Wales Office
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 18 of 8 classified
Accepted 6
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 10
Deferred 1
Total 8 recs + 10 conclusions