On Wednesday 28th September, Selaine Saxby MP delivered the keynote speech at the launch of the Celtic Sea Cluster in Cardiff, having been invited through her work as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Celtic Sea.
The APPG for the Celtic Sea was set up because it was clear that the Celtic Sea has much to offer. From a ferry between North Devon and South Wales, to increased investment in ports, and even to the development of floating offshore wind (FLOW), there are great economic and environmental opportunities.
The UK is the world’s leader in offshore renewable energy, and it is predicted that by 2030, a third of the UK’s electricity will be generated by offshore wind, with preliminary geospatial analysis by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult suggesting that the Celtic Sea resources could be in excess of 100GW.
In her speech, Ms. Saxby discussed how this is a huge export opportunity, with the export market projected to be worth £30 billion over the next decade. As Ms. Saxby explained, this means that there are great opportunities for those businesses maximising first mover advantage in the UK markets.
The FLOW industry nationally has the potential to deliver £43.6bn in UK gross value added by 2050 and create more than 29000 jobs in the process, a strong return on the £2.2bn support in early stages of development.
It is Ms. Saxby’s belief that the Celtic Sea Cluster’s focus on Regional Business Planning and Resourcing, alongside the infrastructure of ports and grids, will enable the region to be a key player in the predicted 100GW by 2050 global market for FLOW, and play a key role in hitting the UK Government’s target of 1GW of energy generated by FLOW by 2030.
After Ms. Saxby’s keynote speech, she sat on a panel with Judith Patten, Director, All Energy; Huub den Rooijen, Managing Director Marine, The Crown Estates; Andrew Jamieson, CEO, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult; and James Davies, Executive Chair, Industry Wales. Ms. Saxby was delighted to have the opportunity to further explain her vision for the Celtic Sea through answering questions.
Selaine Saxby MP for North Devon said:
“As Chair of the APPG for the Celtic Sea, I have been working to optimise benefits on both sides of the Bristol Channel as we move towards launching our first floating offshore wind turbines into the Celtic Sea.
“The Celtic Sea Cluster brings together the strengths in our supply chains on both sides of the Bristol Channel, and will, I am confident, bring the leadership needed to bring these pipeline FLOW projects to fruition, and I hope opportunities as far up the English coast as North Devon.
“I look forward to continuing to work with key stakeholders in the area, as well as now with the Celtic Sea Cluster after its official launch, as we push together to take advantage of the opportunities present in the Celtic Sea.”
