The Welsh Government has approved the 200 MW Llyr floating offshore wind demonstration project in the Celtic Sea. The project will test next-generation floating wind technology, support offshore wind deployment in deeper waters and strengthen Wales’ role in the UK’s emerging floating wind industry.
The Welsh Government has granted Section 36 consent for the Llyr Wind Farm, a floating offshore wind test and demonstration project in the Celtic Sea, allowing the development to move towards the construction phase.
Developed by Cierco Energy, the project comprises two floating offshore wind developments of up to 100 MW each off the Pembrokeshire coast, with a combined capacity of 200 MW. The project is designed to test next-generation floating wind technologies and support the commercial deployment of offshore wind in deeper waters.
The approval follows the project’s earlier marine licence and the securing of seabed rights from The Crown Estate, clearing key regulatory and seabed milestones required for detailed development and construction planning.
The Llyr project is expected to play an important role in establishing the Celtic Sea as a new floating offshore wind region. Floating wind technology allows turbines to be installed in deeper waters where conventional fixed-bottom foundations are not economically viable, significantly expanding the UK’s offshore wind potential.
The Welsh Government said the project could create around 2,000 jobs during the construction phase and generate opportunities for ports, engineering firms, local businesses, universities and the wider offshore wind supply chain across Wales.
The approval is the first major offshore wind consent granted by the new Welsh Government and reinforces Wales’ commitment to expanding renewable energy capacity, attracting clean energy investment and supporting regional industrial development.
Floating offshore wind is expected to play a critical role in achieving the UK’s long-term renewable energy and decarbonisation targets. Demonstration projects such as Llyr are intended to accelerate technology development, strengthen domestic supply chains and support future commercial-scale floating wind projects across the Celtic Sea region.