The Marine Energy Wales team had an action packed few days at Global Offshore Wind in London last week. We joined a fantastic line up of Welsh companies in the Wales Pavillion, thanks to Trade and Invest Wales, and Welsh Government. It was a great opportunity to showcase the strength and ambition of Welsh innovation on a global stage.
Here’s a look back at what made this event so impactful for us here at Marine Energy Wales.
We saw a wave of industry announcements over the two days, including:
- £400m Boost for the UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain from The Crown Estate
- Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) officially stepped into its role as the Delivery Body for the UK’s Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan
- New Great British Energy £1 billion public-private deal to deliver offshore wind jobs in Britain
- Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC) launch new UK Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Guide
Following the two days, The Crown Estate announced the preferred bidders to deliver two new floating windfarms in the Celtic Sea as Equinor and Gwynt Glas – a joint venture between EDF Renewables UK and ESB.
These announcements provided a strong confidence boost and served as a reminder of the UK’s collective commitment to decarbonisation, industrial growth, and local job creation.
Beyond the headline announcements, the tone felt grounded. We found that developers and OEMs are starting to ask harder questions about risk, scale, technology, and delivery, and conversations on the exhibition floor were exploring honestly the challenges and next steps, whether it’s supply chain capability, next-gen environmental monitoring, or smarter consenting systems. Floating wind still has a lot to prove, and while investment is ramping up, so are the expectations.
Our team also noticed a growing curiosity about tidal energy, acknowledging that no single technology can get us to net zero, we need a whole mix.
One of the highlights for our team came on day 2, when we had the pleasure of meeting with Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, to discuss our work at Marine Energy Wales. We highlighted our important role in facilitating the Celtic Sea Developers Alliance, a collaborative forum that brings together world-leading energy and renewables developers who are driving the development and roll-out of FLOW in the Celtic Sea, which has been operating since 2021.
We also shared details of Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum’s Marine Energy Engagement Plan, an initiative which has informed and inspired local communities about marine renewable energy developments off the coast of Wales. It was a great opportunity to meet with the Cabinet Secretary to showcase these projects and discuss the broader work we do as Marine Energy Wales.
It was genuinely encouraging to see how strong the Welsh presence was throughout the event. The energy in the Wales Pavilion, the Cabinet Secretary’s keynote, and the conversations around supply chain, skills, and floating wind all sent the same message loud and clear: Wales is serious about floating offshore wind.
What’s Next?
Our Project Manager, Jay Sheppard, commented:
“For me, the most energising moment came in an unexpected place: a quiet chat with a colleague reflecting on the why behind all this. The answer’s obvious but worth repeating. We’re doing this for future generations. Not just to decarbonise, but to create real and sustained prosperity, leaving the world a better place for those who come next.”
“It’s about building on the real conversations, deepening collaboration and staying pragmatic. That means aligning around solutions that are not just technically viable, but economically and environmentally meaningful. We need sharper focus, honest partnerships, and a shared commitment to doing this once, and doing it right for the long term.”
At Marine Energy Wales and Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, we’re focused on making sure marine renewables deliver real local value. That means:
At Marine Energy Wales and Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, we’re focused on making sure marine renewables deliver real local value. That means:
- Supporting a fair and inclusive supply chain
- Making sure communities benefit directly
- Aligning marine planning with innovation and investment
- Helping shape a thriving, nature-positive blue economy