Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Floating Offshore Wind

16 November 2023 · 3 other contributors · 10,289 words

Opened by Selaine Saxby Con North Devon

Responding minister: Andrew Bowie

ClimateEnergy

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Selaine Saxby raised concerns about floating offshore wind in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The MP is concerned about delays and uncertainties in floating offshore wind development following the lack of bids in AR5.
  • The MP requests the Government to provide more certainty and support for developers, including sufficient budget allocation for AR6.
  • The Minister highlighted the 160 million Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme and discussed adjustments to the Contracts for Difference scheme to support project costs.

Key requests to Government

The MP asks the Government to provide more certainty and support for developers, ensuring that AR6 budget allocation is sufficient to not be consumed by one project. She also requests bringing forward AR6 for FLOW technology to minimise delays caused by AR5 and maximise the opportunity of being a global leader in this field.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Selaine Saxby Con North Devon

The MP is concerned about the delays and uncertainties in floating offshore wind (FLOW) development, particularly following the lack of bids in AR5. She mentions that missing out on a year of development has put at risk £20 billion of short-term investment into the UK and increased uncertainty in the market compared to the EU and US support for FLOW. The MP notes that 70 MW of the 200 MW of FLOW deployed worldwide is currently found in the UK, but there are concerns about maintaining this position due to potential competition from other nations.

Other contributors (3)
  • Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North

    Stressed the importance of floating offshore wind for Scotland, highlighting two out of four global groups in this field are based there. Advocated for timely grid connections and improved communication to boost investor confidence. Emphasised local manufacturing opportunities and skills transferability between oil and gas industries. Urged support for Developing the Young Workforce programme to encourage young people into science and technology careers despite past job losses in the oil sector. Asked about Advanced Research and Invention Agency's focus on green technologies. On that issue, as I said, Scotland encouraged the conversation between developers and the supply chain. Are the Minister's Government doing everything they can to ensure that those who are bidding, and winning the bids, are working with the supply chains to get them upskilled as quickly as possible, and to ensure that they can make investments in the confidence that they will be able to create widgets for offshore wind farms? I mentioned the fact that communication from the grid is not always up to scratch. Will the Minister ensure that he does what he can to put pressure on? I know he is working on the speed, but we also need to make sure that communication is improved, so that developers know what is happening and when it is happening—even just when they will hear an answer.

  • Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli

    Griffith highlighted the disappointment in the lack of bids for floating offshore wind in the last round, AR5, and stressed the importance of listening to manufacturers and having a clear strategy. She discussed potential job creation opportunities through FLOW technology and emphasized the need for government investment in research and development, port infrastructure, grid capacity, and skills training. Griffith also raised concerns about the closure of steel blast furnaces and the impact on manufacturing components for floating offshore wind.

  • Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

    Emphasised the need for a national industrial strategy to pull together different levers for jobs, skills, infrastructure and energy. Raised concerns about stability and certainty for industry investment due to policy changes. Highlighted the potential of floating offshore wind in creating skilled jobs and reducing energy bills.

Government Response

Andrew Bowie

Acknowledged UK's leadership in floating offshore wind technology, noted £160 million Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS), discussed Contracts for Difference scheme adjustments to support project costs, mentioned Crown Estate's leasing round 5 plans, and highlighted collaboration with industry through the floating offshore wind taskforce. Emphasised work on supply chain needs, skills development, cost reduction, grid connections, community engagement, and planning flexibility.

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