Associated British Ports (ABP) and Sarens have formed a pivotal partnership to advance floating offshore wind (Flow) in the Celtic Sea.
- The collaboration aims to leverage Sarens’ extensive expertise in complex engineering for offshore wind projects globally.
- In February 2024, the Crown Estate outlined ambitious targets for Flow in the Celtic Sea, projecting significant economic benefits.
- ABP plans to invest over £500M in infrastructure at Port Talbot, enhancing its role as a hub for green energy.
- This partnership underlines a commitment to renewable energy and the potential for thousands of new jobs.
Associated British Ports (ABP) has entered into a strategic partnership with Sarens, a renowned provider in the heavy lifting sector, with a shared objective of expediting the deployment of floating offshore wind (Flow) technologies from Port Talbot. This strategic collaboration seeks to tap into the vast opportunities presented by the Celtic Sea, an area identified by the Crown Estate as crucial for achieving energy targets outlined in the Celtic Sea Blueprint.
The Crown Estate’s February 2024 report highlighted its ambition to achieve 4.5GW of Flow in this region. This development is expected to generate substantial economic advantages, including the creation of up to 5,400 jobs and an estimated £1.4 billion boost to the local economy. This aligns with the UK’s broader clean energy goals and enhances the country’s global position in renewable energy.
Sarens, with its 65 years of global experience as a family-run enterprise, has consistently demonstrated its capacity to deliver intricate engineering solutions. This partnership marks a significant milestone for ABP’s Future Port Talbot programme, aiming to transform the port into a central hub for Flow and broader green energy initiatives. The focus of this collaboration extends to the exploration of technical and logistical requisites for deploying Flow at Port Talbot, ensuring it meets the evolving demands of the renewable energy sector.
ABP has articulated its ambition by committing to significant investments exceeding £500M, which are aimed at developing both new and repurposed infrastructure at Port Talbot. This initiative is designed to drive substantial job creation and attract considerable inward investment, contributing significantly to the UK’s net-zero ambitions.
ABP’s head of offshore wind, Andy Reay, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, noting the proven track record of Sarens in delivering robust lifting solutions for major offshore wind projects globally. Reay highlighted that the floating offshore wind initiative in Wales represents one of the UK’s most significant clean energy opportunities.
This forward-thinking collaboration also includes active engagement with the local supply chain, aiming to utilise regional expertise and capabilities to fortify the project’s implementation. This approach is expected to benefit the local community economically and environmentally, fostering a sustainable growth model for future renewable projects.
The partnership between ABP and Sarens signifies a critical advancement towards the UK’s renewable energy ambitions, promising economic growth and a substantial step in the energy transition.
