Celtic Sea Power (CSP) has secured funding from The Crown Estate's £50 million Supply Chain Accelerator fund to support the development of a new Offshore Coordination Centre for the Celtic Sea. The investment will help accelerate and de-risk the establishment of the centre, which CSP is developing in partnership with Treveth.
The centre, located near Newquay Airport in Cornwall, is designed to support the construction and operation of floating offshore wind (Flow) projects in the Celtic Sea. CSP said it would serve as a critical hub for overseeing maritime, aviation, and logistical activities, which are essential for the successful delivery of Flow in the region.
CSP's Chief Operating Officer, Matt Hodson, expressed enthusiasm about the funding, stating, “We're delighted to receive this support for our hub concept and thrilled to see that four other Cornish companies also received support from The Crown Estate to develop their investment propositions.”
The funding is part of The Crown Estate's Supply Chain Accelerator initiative, which aims to bolster the UK's domestic supply chain for offshore wind development. Will Apps, The Crown Estate's offshore wind strategy director, commented, “It's fantastic to announce the successful organisations receiving funding through our Supply Chain Accelerator. The purpose of the Accelerator is to help grow and nurture the UK's domestic supply chain, a crucial factor if the UK is to realise the potential of offshore wind in delivering its ambitious clean power and net-zero goals.”
The Offshore Coordination Centre has already attracted support from several floating offshore wind developers, who see the site's strategic location, strong infrastructure, and potential for future expansion as vital to the industry's growth.
Local MP for St Austell and Newquay, Noah Law, also voiced support for the project, stating, “It's great to see the Crown Estate recognising the potential of our local supply chains and supporting jobs in Cornwall when it comes to floating offshore wind.”
CSP emphasized that the centre will not only enhance the UK's Flow supply chain capabilities but will also contribute to the country's energy security and renewable energy generation goals.
