As the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and transition to clean energy, the UK is stepping up efforts to meet its Clean Power target by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050. One of the most promising new avenues for renewable energy development lies in floating offshore wind (FLOW) technology, particularly in the Celtic Sea off the coast of south west England and south Wales.
Cornwall, with its rich maritime history and offshore renewable energy expertise, is ideally positioned to play a crucial role in developing this new industry whilst underpinning our own energy transition and protecting and enhancing our marine environment.
The Celtic Sea has immense potential for floating offshore wind energy generation. The Crown Estate has set a target of up to 4.5GW of FLOW (enough electricity for more than four million homes) in this area by 2035, with a further 12GW by 2045. To put that into context, the UK is currently a leader in offshore wind with total installed offshore wind capacity of 16GW and 100,000 people employed in the sector, so this target represents a doubling of existing capacity.
It predicts that the supply chain for the first wave of new Celtic Sea windfarms could create more than 5,000 new jobs and deliver a £1.4 billion boost to the economy. Following on the heels of the Celtic Sea’s five small test & demonstration projects, the first three large commercial windfarms alone is a vast undertaking requiring the equivalent of one floating structure and turbine to be installed each week for five years, together with the onshore and offshore infrastructure to connect these to the National Grid.
The Celtic Sea offers deeper waters that are less suitable for traditional fixed-bottom turbines but are perfect for floating platforms that can capture powerful winds further offshore. For Cornwall and the wider region this represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to harness natural resources for clean energy while revitalising and decarbonising the local economy through associated supply chain, port and skills development.
Supporting the Government’s net zero ambitions
The UK Government has committed to achieving a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030 and a commitment to Net Zero by 2050. Offshore wind is a critical component of this strategy. The expansion of FLOW technology in the Celtic Sea can significantly contribute to this effort by generating large-scale renewable energy, reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
This is essential not just for meeting renewable energy targets but also for securing energy independence and boosting economic growth. Cornwall’s geographical location, existing infrastructure, and investment in the offshore renewables sector to date, position it at the heart of this new energy frontier.
Our region can also play a key role in helping Great British Energy, the Government’s new clean energy company, meet its objectives of accelerating the development of clean energy projects, including FLOW. This can ensure that the economic benefits of the green energy transition are felt across the UK and are economically inclusive, with Cornwall playing a key role in delivering innovative clean energy solutions.
Cornwall’s role in floating offshore wind
Cornwall has already made significant strides in renewable energy, particularly in wind, solar and geothermal. However, the county is now preparing to take the next big leap with investments in the floating offshore wind sector. Cornwall Council, through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, is actively supporting the development of FLOW using funds from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
Some £7.5 million of Good Growth funding has already been earmarked for a range of projects aimed at capturing the benefits of FLOW for the local economy. These include investment in ports, supply chain development, research, blue and green skills, and the creation of the Cornwall FLOW Commission, supported by Celtic Sea Power, whose role is to ensure the social and economic benefits of FLOW in the Celtic Sea are maximised locally.
These investments will not only support new, high-skilled jobs in Cornwall but also attract further investment into the region, positioning Cornwall as a hub for offshore, as well as onshore, renewable energy expertise.
And Good Growth funding is fostering collaborations between local businesses, research institutions, and national stakeholders, further strengthening Cornwall’s role in the UK’s green industrial revolution.
But this is a long-term commitment. More enabling investment will be crucial for Cornwall and the broader UK economy to capitalise on the potential of the Celtic Sea. The local supply chain must be developed, including the creation of port and other critical infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and skilled labour to support the deployment and maintenance of floating turbines in the decades to come.
Securing Cornwall’s future through renewable energy
The potential for Cornwall to be at the forefront of the floating offshore wind industry is immense. By harnessing the power of the Celtic Sea, Cornwall can contribute significantly to the UK’s Net Zero goals whilst underpinning our own energy transition across all sectors to create a more resilient and prosperous local economy. With a collaborative approach there is the opportunity for all sectors of the Cornish Economy and environment to thrive.
However, this will only be possible with sustained investment, strong regional input and strategic support from both local and national governments.
Against this backdrop it is concerning that there is still no replacement announced for the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, which comes to an end next March. This funding, delivered through Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Programme, has proved vital to supporting the development of the sector to date and ending it would be a short-sighted and retrograde step.
As Cornwall continues to build on its renewable energy legacy, initiatives like the Good Growth Programme will be essential in turning the promise of the FLOW sector into a reality. By doing so, Cornwall can help the UK become a global leader in offshore wind while ensuring a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Piers Guy is chair of the board of directors of Celtic Sea Power and renewable energy lead at the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum
