Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Floating Offshore Wind: Celtic Sea — [Clive Efford in the Chair]

12 December 2024 · 6 other contributors · 10,193 words

Opened by Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth

Responding minister: Michael Shanks

EconomyClimateEnergy

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Jayne Kirkham raised concerns about floating offshore wind: celtic sea — [clive efford in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The MP is concerned about the lack of progress in developing floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea due to insufficient infrastructure and supply chain capabilities.
  • The MP asks the Government to allocate specific funding for floating offshore wind in Area 7, support collaborative port investments, and establish targeted wealth funds for infrastructure development.
  • The Minister highlighted the potential economic benefits of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, including 47 billion in GVA and up to 97,000 jobs, and mentioned the launch of a 50 million supply chain accelerator.

Key requests to Government

The MP asks the Government to ring-fence funding for FLOW in AR7 along geographical or technological lines, support collaborative investment in ports, and create specific targeted wealth funds to invest in infrastructure and supply chain development. She also calls for a unified national strategy for floating offshore wind and a regional masterplan for FLOW in the Celtic Sea.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth

The MP is concerned about the lack of progress in developing floating offshore wind (FLOW) in the Celtic Sea. She mentions that only one successful floating offshore project has been awarded contracts for difference (CfD), which has dampened investor confidence. The region lacks necessary infrastructure and supply chain capabilities, which could hinder future development. Additionally, there is a risk that economic benefits may be lost to overseas competitors without additional funding to develop local industries.

Other contributors (6)
  • Ben Maguire Lib Dem North Cornwall

    Mr Maguire highlighted the potential of offshore wind in the Celtic Sea to support the UK's energy transition, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. He emphasized the need for investment and skills training to prepare local supply chains for a key role in the global build-out of floating offshore wind. Concerns were raised about the Crown Estate's licensing process, which Mr Maguire argued narrows competition and could delay project delivery.

  • Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst

    The Chair reminded Members to indicate their intention to speak by bobbing in their places.

  • Henry Tufnell Lab Mid and South Pembrokeshire

    Henry Tufnell highlighted the opportunities and challenges of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. He emphasized the potential for economic growth, job creation, and reindustrialization in his constituency of Pembrokeshire, where one in four children lives in poverty. He cited unique conditions such as high wind speeds and deep water that make the region ideal for floating offshore wind projects but noted issues like annual option fees from the Crown Estate that hinder commercial viability. Tufnell called on the Crown Estate to seize the day and create pipeline conditions for developers, addressing concerns about supply chain readiness and skills gaps.

  • Katie Lam Con Weald of Kent

    The MP praised the contributions from other speakers and highlighted the importance of floating offshore wind for Britain's reindustrialisation. She inquired about the progress of a £1 billion investment by the previous government aimed at advancing technologies such as offshore wind, and asked if the current government would prevent hostile states from constructing turbines in British waters. Additionally, she questioned whether projects initiated under the previous government will be lost due to new bureaucratic costs introduced by GB Energy.

  • Noah Law Lab St Austell and Newquay

    Mr. Law emphasized the transformative potential of floating offshore wind for Cornwall, highlighting Falmouth harbour's strategic importance and its role in creating approximately 5,300 jobs and delivering £1.5 billion gross value added to the local economy. He called for political leadership, investment in skills training, infrastructure development, and tailored mechanisms like contracts for difference to support the industry's growth.

  • Perran Moon Lab Camborne and Redruth

    Emphasised the importance of developing skills in Cornwall for floating offshore wind, highlighting the potential to create about 5,300 jobs. Called for a long-term strategic approach to workforce development focusing on vocational and technical skills, such as welding and marine licence development. Highlighted the role of educational institutions like the University of Exeter's Penryn campus and colleges in providing apprenticeships and vocational opportunities.

Government Response

Michael Shanks

The Minister thanked MPs for their contributions and highlighted the government's commitment to achieving clean power by 2030. He emphasised the importance of offshore wind, particularly floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, which could contribute £47 billion in GVA and support up to 97,000 jobs. The Minister also mentioned the FLOWMIS scheme for port infrastructure development and the launch of a £50 million supply chain accelerator. He noted that the Government will publish its industrial strategy in spring and announced the clean industry bonus as part of the CfD scheme to reward fixed and floating offshore wind developers investing in UK's poorest communities or cleaner manufacturing facilities.

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