Port Talbot’s development as the first port in the Celtic Sea specifically developed to support floating offshore wind (FLOW) has received Government backing of ‘up to’ £64m, subject to final clearance by the Competition and Markets Authority.

The new port could help unlock 4.5GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, building on support for the steel industry in Port Talbot, and the next phase of development at Port Talbot includes plans that will support the delivery of the recent successful Celtic Sea Leasing Round 5 and help position the region as a world-class centre for clean energy manufacturing and deployment.

The Celtic Sea offers some of the best conditions for floating offshore wind in Europe and the funding will enable Associated British Ports (ABP) to complete the essential design and ABP expect that, once completed, the new port will support thousands of jobs and unlock over £500m in investment for Port Talbot.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “The UK Government has backed steelworkers and the community in Port Talbot with £100min direct support, and £500m for the construction of a new electric arc furnace ensuring that the town will manufacture clean steel into the future.”

It also comes a week after the launch of the Government’s steel strategy which, backed by up to £2.5bn, will help it meet its target of supplying half of domestic demand for steel and secure the industry’s role in supporting vital UK sectors such as infrastructure, defence, and clean energy.

Earlier this month, ABP signed an agreement with RWE to use the Port of Lowestoft as the long-term operations and maintenance base for the Vanguard West and East offshore wind farms. ABP has also announced a new blade-handling, storage and distribution agreement with Vestas at the Port of Southampton and recently completed complex blade unloading operations at the Port of Ayr.

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