Preseli MP Stephen Crabb has welcomed new plans put forward by the Crown Estate for floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea.
Mr Crabb has been a long time champion of Pembrokeshire becoming a major centre for generating electricity from marine renewables like floating offshore wind, and wave and tidal power.
The Crown Estate, which owns the sea-bed around the UK, has today published further detail on how it intends to lease out parts of the Celtic Sea for floating wind turbines. The Crown Estate is aiming to unlock up to 4GW of new clean energy capacity in England and Wales and help establish a new industrial sector for the UK.
The leasing process will deliver enough new capacity to provide clean power for almost four million more homes, in support of the UK’s net zero target, as well as creating opportunities for significant new investment in jobs, skills, and infrastructure.
Earlier this year Mr Crabb met with the Crown Estate to urge further progress in opening up the Celtic Sea for offshore wind development. In Parliament he has called for a joined-up approach by the Crown Estate, UK and Welsh Governments and the developers to ensure that the Haven waterway benefits from the wave of investment into offshore wind.
The Crown Estate plans follow the recent announcement by UK Government of £160 million of funding to help upgrade ports to take advantage of the new opportunities in large-scale floating wind power.
Responding to the Crown Estate plans, Mr Crabb said:
“This is a very positive and forward-looking announcement today from the Crown Estate which paves the way for a new floating offshore wind industry in Wales. It marks another step forward in a new clean energy future that could bring new growth to Pembrokeshire."
"I firmly believe that the Milford Haven waterway stands to benefit from the massive investment that is being unlocked for the Celtic Sea. I have seen how large-scale offshore wind has boosted ports in other parts of the UK and we need to make sure Milford Haven is right out there at the front in terms of capturing long term jobs and growth from the green energy revolution."
"I look forward to continuing to work with the Crown Estate and the other key players to ensure this investment delivers economic and community benefits for us in Wales.”
