BW Ideol and Associated British Ports (ABP) have entered into an agreement to explore the feasibility of manufacturing concrete substructures for floating turbine foundations at Port Talbot. The partnership is strategically aligned with preparations for the upcoming Celtic Sea leasing round, recently announced by The Crown Estate, offering substantial development potential in the multi-gigawatt range.
As the owner and operator of Port Talbot and 20 other ports across the UK, ABP aims to invest over £500 million to transform Port Talbot into a prominent Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) hub. The collaboration with BW Ideol signifies a crucial step in advancing this vision.
Paul de la Gueriviere, CEO of BW Ideol, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We can't wait to start working with ABP at Port Talbot, and we have no doubt that it will confirm that our patented concrete floating solution, which is the most compact and scalable solution on the market, is manufacturable at a large scale and will be able to equip future installation sites in the Celtic Sea while providing the highest level of local content.”
Andy Reay, ABP Head of Offshore Wind, highlighted the broader ambitions, stating, “ABP is looking to invest in new and repurposed infrastructure in Port Talbot to enable the port to host manufacturing, installation, and supply chain activity for the FLOW sector.” Reay added that the initiative could potentially create 16,000 high-quality jobs and attract £5.5 billion in inward investment, significantly impacting the regional economy.
The collaboration between BW Ideol and ABP reflects the growing momentum in the offshore wind sector and underscores the commitment to exploring innovative solutions for sustainable energy production. The feasibility study at Port Talbot is seen as a crucial step towards establishing the port as a key player in the emerging FLOW energy hub landscape.
