Welsh floating offshore wind gets boost
A Welsh-based collaboration has been awarded nearly £1mln to develop low-CO2 steel for floating offshore wind platforms.
The Launchpad project is a collaboration between Marine Power Systems, Tata Steel UK, Swansea University, Associated British Ports and Ledwood Engineering.
The project aims to optimise the structural efficiency of the wind platform PelaFlex, using data from the Celtic Sea while minimising materials and deployment cost. That includes strip steel manufactured in Port Talbot, components made locally and the assembly using ports in southwest Wales.
Swansea University will provide design input by applying developments in structural design modelling, and provide feedback to maximise local suppliers.
Tata Steel says the UK Government, supported by the current 4.5GW licensing round for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, has committed to delivering 5GW of floating offshore wind by 2050.
