EDF partners up to deliver 1GW Celtic Sea floating offshore windfarm – New Civil Engineer

Ireland-based DP Energy is to join forces with EDF Renewables to develop the Gwynt Glas floating offshore windfarm in Welsh and English waters, which is expected to have a capacity of up to 1GW.

According to EDF, the windfarm is a key part of meeting the ambition declared by Crown Estates last autumn to have 4GW of offshore wind capacity in the Celtic Sea.

Floating technologies, which are better suited to deeper waters than traditional fixed foundations, are set to play a key part in the sustainable future of UK offshore wind, unlocking new areas of seabed.

News of the project comes after industry specialists warned that fixed offshore wind turbines were becoming too big for foundation capacity.

EDF has confirmed that work to refine the development area and constraint studies for the project are already underway. Initial research is focusing on a 1,500km2 area located approximately 70km from the shore.Remote aerial surveys for marine mammal and birdsare said to have started in spring last year, indicating the commitment already made to the project.

EDF Renewables UK head of offshore wind Scott Sutherland said: This is a great start to 2022 for us and we are very pleased to announce this partnership with DP Energy. We firmly believe Gwynt Glas will be a catalyst for further supply chain growth across the UK which is something we as a company are very supportive of.

We will use our experience in offshore wind to help bring opportunities for local, regional and national companies on this project and on others, such our Blyth floating project and the two we are bidding for in the ScotWind process.

Floating offshore wind is an exciting new technology and will bring much needed inward investment which can regenerate coastal economies and communities.

No details about the technical elements of the floating turbines has been released but the scale of the development at 1GW is significant the combined capacity of EDFs current installed onshore and offshore wind power and battery installations across 37 sites amounts to the same total. The firm has said that it currently has 5GW of renewable energy project in the planning and development stage.

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EDF partners up to deliver 1GW Celtic Sea floating offshore windfarm - New Civil Engineer