Photo by Bob Brewer
The Crown Estate has announced it will fund a new regional programme in South Wales to help local companies prepare for future opportunities in the offshore renewables sector. The initiative, known as Fit 4 Offshore Renewables (F4OR), aims to strengthen regional supply chains ahead of the next phase of development in the Celtic Sea.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and builds on similar schemes already rolled out in Scotland and the North East of England. According to the Crown Estate, the South Wales F4OR programme will provide structured support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping them meet industry requirements and compete for contracts in floating wind and marine energy developments.
The move comes as part of the Crown Estate’s broader commitment to accelerating the transition to low-carbon energy and supporting the economic potential of coastal communities. As highlighted in a report by Energy Global, the funding is seen as a key step in developing the capabilities of local businesses to meet the specific demands of offshore projects in the Celtic Sea, where future seabed leasing rounds are planned.
F4OR has already demonstrated measurable results elsewhere in the UK. Participants in previous rounds have reported increased readiness levels, improved safety standards, and greater success in securing new business. The South Wales programme will be tailored to the region’s industrial base and supply chain profile, with participating firms receiving one-to-one mentoring, business improvement planning, and access to industry networks.
According to The Crown Estate, the initiative is intended to ensure that local companies are not only aware of upcoming offshore projects, but are also equipped to contribute meaningfully—technically, commercially, and sustainably. It is also expected to support longer-term ambitions for economic development in South Wales, where ports, manufacturing hubs, and coastal infrastructure could play a vital role in enabling large-scale renewable energy deployment in the Celtic Sea.
The announcement follows the Crown Estate’s earlier market engagement on floating wind leasing in the Celtic Sea, where up to 4.5 GW of capacity is expected to be unlocked in the coming years. As the sector moves toward full commercialisation, initiatives like F4OR are seen by many in industry and government as important in ensuring the benefits of offshore renewables are widely distributed across regions and sectors.