Tom Glover (RWE): “Floating wind in the Celtic Sea will provide renewable energy and generate opportunities for economic growth in Wales” (source: RWE)
RWE, Wales’ largest electricity producer, is to work with Tata Steel to explore production of components and structures for floating windfarms in the Celtic Sea
The companies will work together to identify steel components that could be supplied by Tata Steel and plan to support the wider industrial decarbonisation and economic development of Wales.
RWE is proposing to deploy a pipeline of GW-scale floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea as part of the Crown Estate’s upcoming leasing round.
If successful, the projects will form a key part of RWE’s ‘decarbonisation hub,’ Pembroke Net Zero Centre, bringing together all areas of RWE’s decarbonisation expertise and supporting the transition to net zero in south Wales.
The co-operation agreement will allow the parties to provide technical assistance and expertise to The Crown Estate, if needed, as part of the Celtic Sea leasing process.
RWE UK country chair Tom Glover said, “RWE is working with the Welsh Government and industry to support the country’s transition to meet its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2035.
“Not only will floating wind deployment in the Celtic Sea provide a renewable and sustainable energy source, but it will also generate widespread opportunities for economic growth in Wales, protecting and creating new jobs and supply chain opportunities.
“Co-operation with Tata Steel exemplifies our commitment to local supply chains and expertise to maximise benefits for the region.”
Tata Steel UK chief commercial officer Anil Jhanji said, “Steel-making in the UK played an integral role in supporting the acceleration of the industrial revolution in the late 19th century. The industry will once again play its part in driving the UK through a Green Industrial Revolution.
“While we cherish our history, we welcome the new opportunities steel continues to offer and want to produce net-zero steel by 2050 at the latest and reduce our CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030. We are proud to have a product portfolio that will support the UK securing domestic renewable energy through sectors such as floating offshore wind.”
The steelworks in Port Talbot has been a cornerstone of British manufacturing for over a hundred years and Tata Steel remains at the heart of Welsh industry with more than 5,000 people directly employed at its sites in Wales.
