Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator, and the UK Government have agreed the terms for Government funding, alongside further ABP investment in the development of port infrastructure for floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea, subject to final clearance by the Competition and Markets Authority.
The agreement was marked with a visit by the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, and Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey, to Port Talbot. The visit marked a major milestone in plans to transform Port Talbot into a strategic industrial hub for floating offshore wind, providing the large-scale manufacturing, assembly and marshalling capacity required to deliver gigawatt-scale FLOW projects. The development will ensure the region plays a central role in enabling projects awarded through the recent Celtic Sea leasing round and in securing long-term investment, supply chain growth and high-quality jobs across South Wales and the wider region.
ABP CEO Henrik L. Pedersen said: “Today’s visit marks real progress on the shared ambition between ABP and the UK Government to secure the infrastructure needed to deliver floating offshore wind at scale. Agreeing terms on Government support is a critical step towards further ABP investment at Port Talbot and establishing the port as a cornerstone of the Celtic Sea floating offshore wind industry. This development would drive industrial regeneration, support thousands of skilled jobs and ensure the Wales and the UK captures the full economic benefit of this emerging sector.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “From floating offshore wind in Port Talbot to a new generation of small modular reactors at Wylfa — this Government is putting Wales at the heart of our clean energy superpower mission. With its deep waters and strong winds we are supporting Wales to storm ahead in floating offshore wind — a pioneering industry that will support thousands of good jobs, drive growth across the country and unlock the next generation of clean, homegrown power.”
Significant moment for Port TalbotSecretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said: “This is a significant moment for Port Talbot and a major step forward for the growing clean energy industry in Wales. This investment will further cement Port Talbot as a hub of the industries of the future, and heralds the next chapter of jobs, and investment to the area.
“The UK Government has backed steelworkers and the community in Port Talbot with £100 million in direct support and £500 million for the construction of a new Electric Arc Furnace ensuring that the town will manufacture clean steel into the future. Thanks to our investment, the work of trade unions and local businesses, and the dedication and spirit of local people — Port Talbot and whole region have a very bright future.”
During the visit, the Secretary of State and the Minister met with ABP’s leadership team to review the next phase of development at Port Talbot, including plans that will support the delivery of the recent successful Celtic Sea Leasing Round 5 and help position the region as a world-class centre for clean energy manufacturing and deployment. The Secretary of State and the Minister also met with ABP apprentices and graduate trainees to hear firsthand what this means for the positive future for those entering the workforce.
The visit follows a series of significant offshore wind milestones for ABP, underlining its role as a long-term partner to the sector. Earlier this month, ABP signed an agreement with
RWE to use the Port of Lowestoft as the long-term operations and maintenance base for the Vanguard West and East offshore wind farms. ABP has also announced a new blade-handling, storage and distribution agreement with
Vestas at the Port of Southampton and recently completed complex blade unloading operations at the Port of Ayr.
ABP’s proposed development at Port Talbot represents one of the most significant industrial regeneration opportunities in South Wales in a generation. By enabling major UK and international manufacturers to establish operations at the port, the programme would support the creation of high-quality ‘green’ jobs and strengthen the UK’s floating offshore wind supply chain.