Consent for floating wind farm in Wales

The Welsh Government has granted consent for Wales's first floating wind farm which will be located 40km off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

Seven 14MW turbines on floating platforms will provide enough low carbon energy to power 93,000 homes.

Project Erebus is part of the first phase of a 4 gigawatt renewable energy development in the Celtic Sea, which is set to generate enough power for 4 million homes. The project is part of a move away from being dependent on fossil fuels.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We are ambitious for the floating offshore wind sector in Wales – we believe it has the potential to deliver sustainable sources of energy into the future and it is also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to open up new markets for local suppliers and to create thousands of high-quality jobs in Wales.

"The Erebus project has the potential to show the world that Wales and the Celtic Sea can deliver renewable energy alongside the sustainable management of our marine resources.

"In determining the marine license and the planning consents, the Welsh Government and our partners in Natural Resources Wales have enabled this project to move forward to apply for subsidy support from the UK government.

"I urge the UK government to do its part through the Contracts for Difference process to drive the industry forward by working with the Erebus team to secure the first floating offshore wind project in Welsh waters, bringing jobs and green energy to our communities."

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