Two ports in UK advance towards funding for floating wind

Two ports, Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Port Talbot in Wales and the Port of Cromarty Firth in Scotland, have been advanced by the UK Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to the Primary List phase of the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS).

FLOWMIS was launched last year to support the delivery of port infrastructure for floating offshore wind. The funding bids by the two ports will now be further reviewed by DESNZ before any final decisions later this year, explains RenewableUK.

“We already have one of the biggest pipelines of floating wind projects in the world - now we need to ensure we take advantage of this global leadership position by building a flourishing supply chain for the sector in the UK,” said Dan McGrail, RenewableUK’s chief executive and co-chair of the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce.

ABP’s Future Port Talbot project seeks to transform the port into a hub for the manufacturing, assembly and integration of floating offshore wind components for projects in the Celtic Sea.

“The FLOWMIS award, alongside significant ABP investment of more than GBP 500 million, will begin to unlock a projected GBP 1 billion of investment in Port Talbot and the surrounding area,” stated ABP’s head Henrik L. Pedersen.

The Port of Cromarty Firth said more than GBP 50 million (USD 64m/EUR 59m) has been earmarked for its forthcoming Phase 5 expansion, where the port will expand its facilities for the north of Scotland’s renewables sector.

“Developers supported the Port in the region’s bid to become one of Scotland’s two Green Freeports and, earlier this year, selected the Phase 5 expansion as one of three Scottish projects chosen to progress in the SOWEC Strategic Investment Model (SIM),” noted the Port of Cromarty Firth’s chief executive Bob Buskie.

According to the port, the FLOWMIS support, SIM and the winning Green Freeport bid solidify its status as a leading renewable energy hub.

(GBP 1 = USD 1.270/EUR 1.170)

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