Backing has been given to the first floating wind farm off the Welsh coastline.

The Welsh government has given consent for the project, which will be located 40km off the Pembrokeshire coast in West Wales, reports Sky.

Project Erebus is expected to provide enough low-carbon energy to power 93,000 homes.

It will include seven 14-megawatt turbines and is part of the first phase of a renewable energy development in the Celtic Sea which is expected to generate four gigawatts of energy – enough to power four million homes and businesses.

The current expectation is that Blue Gem Wind, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Group, will begin operating the Erebus project in 2026 – but it now hopes to secure UK government funding.

Mark Drakeford, Wales’ First Minister, said: “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.”

‘Greatest opportunity’

The announcement has been welcomed by the chair of Westminster’s Welsh Affairs Committee, and local MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Stephen Crabb.

Mr Crabb said that it is “looking more likely than ever before” that Wales could take a first step into floating offshore wind following the announcement.

“It is very welcome news that Pembrokeshire could be home to Wales’ first floating offshore wind farm,” he said.

UK government won’t commit on ‘specific projects’

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to building on our leading position as part of our wider efforts to increase our energy security and independence.

“This is underlined by our announcement in the British Energy Security Strategy of our ambition to deploy up to 5GW of floating wind generation by 2030.

“While we cannot comment on specific projects, the government recognises the potential of floating offshore wind and the UK already has the world’s first and largest floating windfarms.”

Further information can be read here.