Marine Energy Wales has welcomed Wednesday’s confirmation of a £160 million pound scheme to support port infrastructure projects, as part of a raft of measures announced on ‘Energy Security Day’.

The UK Government’s plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power in the drive to net zero also include a proposal to speed up the planning process for offshore wind projects to attract investment.

Last week two Welsh freeport bids – Celtic Freeport at Milford Haven and Port Talbot and Anglesey - were given the green light by the UK and Welsh Governments, with the promise of creating 20,000 jobs and investment worth £5bn to Wales.

Floating offshore wind (FLOW) will become the backbone of our future energy system, requiring 50GW of installed capacity by 2050.

Half of that is anticipated to come from the Celtic Sea, heralding an epic transformation of our coastal region and delivering long term economic, social and environmental benefits for decades to come.

Marine Energy Wales estimates our ports need up to £2 billion in investment in order to deliver on our floating offshore wind ambitions and ensure large-scale wind farms are built, deployed and maintained from UK ports.

Tom Fabian, FLOW Project Manager for Marine Energy Wales said: “We are delighted with today’s result. Ports are a large piece in the jigsaw for Welsh delivery of a Floating Offshore Wind Industry.

“It’s our hope that this investment will provide clear signal that the government is serious about developing this sector, stimulating private investment so that we can capitalise on this once-in-a-generation opportunity for Wales.

“We will now be looking to see a strong Regional Development Strategy to ensure Government support is balanced across the North and Celtic Sea.”

Welcoming Government announcements on nuclear energy and floating offshore wind (FLOW), Welsh Affairs Committee chair, Rt Hon Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire said: “I welcome the UK Government’s announcements around floating offshore wind and nuclear energy: representing steps to enhance home-grown energy.

“On the back of last week’s announcement on freeports, it is very welcome that the Government has now launched a funding scheme to encourage investment in infrastructure to support Floating Offshore Wind.

“This could turbocharge efforts to see open up the Celtic Sea to the green energy revolution, offering enormous economic opportunities for Welsh communities.

“It is essential that Welsh ports receive a fair share of the £160 million package.

“For some time the nuclear sector has called for greater clarity on the Government’s ambitions, and the policy announcements today on nuclear energy is in line with what we have been calling for.

“The full launch of Great British Nuclear should go some way to reassure the sector and motivate them to invest. I wish its interim Chair and Chief Executive the best in their endeavours, and look forward to seeing the detail of the Small Modular Reactor technology competition when it launches.

“It is absolutely right that the Government is looking to match global competitors so we are not left behind in establishing and reaping the benefits of gigawatt scale nuclear, as well as from small modular reactors.”