Plans for two huge 100 megawatt floating windfarms in the Celtic Sea, with the energy capacity to power 200,000 homes with green electricity, have taken a significant step forward. It comes as the joint venture company behind the proposed project, Floventis Energy, has confirmed it has completed benthic and geophysical surveys in readiness for submission of a full environmental impact assessment.
Floventis Energy, which is also opening offices in Pembroke Dock, is a joint venture between Dutch firm SBM Offshore, a global specialists in floating offshore energy and renewable energy project development company Cierco.
Floventis Energy was awarded a lease agreement for its Llyr developments by the Crown Estate in July 2021 subject to a habitats regulation assessment. This allows Floventis to progress with environmental assessment and surveys, secure access to the grid and seek planning consent through the statutory processes.
Located 31 kilometres off the coast of Pembrokeshire, the Llyr developments (known as Llyr 1 and Llyr 2) will power in the region of 200,000 homes with 200 megawatt of energy once operational by 2027.
Each windfarm will consist of six to eight turbines, all of which will be greater than 12MW. If approved, and with an energy produced price guarantee from the UK Government through a contract for difference, the project has an estimated price tag in excess of £800m.
Survey contractor N-Sea conducted the offshore survey using the N-Sea Spirit vessel, establishing a baseline ground model which will be developed as the project matures. The scope covered the offshore array area and export cable route corridor using both geophysical and benthic habitat survey techniques.
Director with Floventis Scott Harper said: “Floating offshore wind is poised to become a key global technology in achieving a cost-effective net zero energy sector and is expected to become the backbone of a future energy system in the UK and play a significant part in reaching the Committee on Climate Change’s offshore wind target of 100 gigawatt of installed capacity by 2050. The Celtic Sea will play a key role with 4GW of floating wind expected to be deployed by 2035. This will drive regional development, supply chain opportunities and new jobs while providing green, home-grown power for local communities.
“We’re driving forward the floating wind industry in Wales with this project representing a major step towards the delivery of commercial scale wind in the Celtic Sea. The seabed rights awarded by the Crown Estate for Llyr 1 and 2 represents two thirds of the leasing in Welsh waters in the Celtic Sea to date and will support supply chain and infrastructure development, helping to underpin a sustainable future for the sector in Wales.
“The project is now in the pre-application phase which means that we are preparing all the detail and options required to support a full planning application including the start of consultation. The opening of our office in Pembroke Dock is a reflection of our commitment to working with the local community and potential supply chain partners in the region while the safe completion of the surveys is an important milestone for us, particularly given the challenging weather conditions.”
Headquartered in Amsterdam, SBM is a leading global offshore energy business with a 60-year track record in offshore innovation, a workforce of 5,000 and revenue in excess of US $2.3 billion. With offices in Scotland and California, Cierco is an independent renewable energy project development company established in 2001. Projects range from first demonstrator deployments to larger pre-commercial and commercial arrays.
Read More:
