Marine Energy Wales welcomes the publication of Great British Energy’s first Strategic Plan, a document that sets out how the UK’s new publicly owned energy developer will accelerate clean energy deployment, strengthen supply chains and support growth across the offshore sector. The plan outlines a clear commitment to technologies where Wales holds major strengths, particularly floating offshore wind and emerging marine renewable energy technologies.
A major step forward for the offshore sector
The Strategic Plan identifies offshore wind as central to meeting future electricity needs, with the UK expected to require up to 86 GW of offshore capacity by 2035, a fivefold increase on today’s levels. Delivering this will depend heavily on expanding into deeper waters using floating and hybrid platforms.
GBE positions floating and deep-water wind as the “next frontier” in offshore development, emphasising the need for coordinated investment, test-and-demonstrator activity and targeted supply-chain support to unlock commercial-scale deployment. The plan highlights that early-mover advantage in these technologies could deliver significant economic opportunities across the UK.
For Wales, the Celtic Sea represents one of the UK’s most strategically important regions for this growth. Its proximity to Welsh ports and fabrication facilities, combined with world-class wind resources, places the region at the centre of the UK’s long-term ambitions.
Recognition of Wales’ strengths in tidal and emerging technologies
Beyond offshore wind, the Strategic Plan also creates space for emerging technologies, including tidal stream, through GBE Ventures.
GBE Ventures is GBE’s flexible investment arm designed to support early-stage or strategically important clean energy technologies. It allows minority investments in innovation-focused projects, helping bridge the gap between promising technologies and commercial deployment.
This recognition is important. Wales hosts some of the strongest tidal resources in Europe and continues to be a living testbed for innovation in tidal energy. The inclusion of tidal within the scope of GBE’s investment activity signals continued alignment between national ambitions and Welsh capabilities.
Strengthening supply chains and unlocking investment
The Strategic Plan places significant emphasis on the need to grow the UK’s offshore supply chain. GBE’s £1 billion Energy, Engineered in the UK programme will focus on addressing critical bottlenecks, supporting manufacturing capability and enabling UK ports, engineering firms and fabrication yards to participate fully in the growth of deep-water offshore wind.
For Wales, this creates opportunities for:
• Port and infrastructure upgrades
• Increased fabrication and assembly capacity
• Local supply chain participation in both FLOW and marine renewables
• High-value job creation in coastal regions
Why coordination with The Crown Estate matters
GBE’s plan signals an intention to work closely with The Crown Estate, which is responsible for leasing the seabed in Wales, England and Northern Ireland. This coordination point may seem technical, but it has real implications for the Celtic Sea.
In practice, closer alignment between GBE and The Crown Estate can help:
• Create clearer, more predictable development timelines.
Developers benefit when seabed leasing rounds and public-sector investment decisions are aligned rather than sequential.
• Strengthen the investment case for ports and supply chains.
If GBE can signal early interest in particular technologies, scales or delivery timelines, this gives ports and manufacturers more certainty to invest.
• Support the transition from demonstrators to full commercial projects.
GBE’s investment role complements The Crown Estate’s leasing role, helping projects move from “permitted” to “financeable”.
• Avoid duplication and ensure public capital is used efficiently.
Clear roles prevent fragmented or competing initiatives.
For the Celtic Sea, this is an important step. It opens the door to a more joined-up approach between seabed leasing, government-backed project investment and UK-wide supply-chain development. The specifics will evolve over time, but this intention signals that the public sector is beginning to act in a more coordinated way, something the sector has long called for.
Our contribution and continued partnership
Marine Energy Wales was pleased to contribute to the development of the Strategic Plan, which drew on engagement with more than 100 organisations across the UK. The final document reflects many of the priorities we consistently champion: technology diversity, regional equity, investment in early-stage innovation and a stronger role for public interest in strategic energy decisions.
As GBE moves into delivery, we look forward to continued collaboration to ensure that Welsh waters, ports, communities and supply chains are positioned to play a full and leading role in the UK’s clean energy transition.
Statement from Marine Energy Wales
Jay Sheppard, Senior Project Manager at Marine Energy Wales, said:
“Great British Energy’s Strategic Plan provides a welcome signal of long-term intent and offers a more joined-up approach to investment across the offshore sector. We particularly welcome the strong recognition of floating and deep-water wind and the inclusion of tidal and other emerging technologies within GBE’s investment scope.
Wales has the natural resources, industrial capability and community ambition to make a major contribution to the UK’s clean energy future. We hope this strategy helps guide targeted investment decisions that unlock Welsh projects, strengthen local supply chains and deliver lasting benefits for our coastal communities.”