Associated British Ports (ABP) and Sarens have formed a strategic partnership aimed at facilitating the deployment of floating offshore wind technology in the Celtic Sea. This collaboration will leverage ABP's extensive port infrastructure at Port Talbot alongside Sarens' expertise in heavy lifting and transport solutions for large-scale offshore wind projects.
The initiative will focus on assessing the technical and logistical requirements necessary for establishing floating offshore wind operations at Port Talbot. It represents a key development within ABP's Future Port Talbot programme, which seeks to position the port as a major hub for floating offshore wind (FLOW) and green energy initiatives.
Andy Reay, head of offshore wind at ABP, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting Sarens' proven track record in the offshore wind sector. He noted that ABP is set to invest over £500 million in new and repurposed infrastructure at Port Talbot, which is expected to create thousands of new, high-quality jobs and attract significant inward investment.
Bev Bentley, director of strategic global projects at Sarens, emphasized the importance of combining their global offshore wind experience with ABP's infrastructure to successfully roll out floating offshore wind in the region. He reaffirmed Sarens' commitment to advancing renewable energy and contributing to the global energy transition through innovative lifting and transport solutions.