Ocean Winds, an EDP Renewables and ENGIE joint venture, has secured a 1.5 GW project site in the Celtic Sea from the UK’s Floating Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 by the Crown Estate. This is part of the Crown Estate’s plan to develop a 4.5 GW floating wind pipeline in the Celtic Sea. At 1.5GW capacity the facility will rank amongst the largest offshore wind farms under development in Europe.
If the Ocean Winds project progresses successfully and the third development area is fully realized, the 4.5 GW pipeline will significantly support the UK’s floating wind sector, building on the momentum generated as North Sea Giant Seaway7 wraps up its massive installation campaign at the 3.6 GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm. Ocean Winds’ award is the last of three sites, with other winners being Equinor and Gwynt Glas with a 3 GW floating offshore wind project site in the Celtic Sea.
Round 5 leasing by the Crown Estate is also linked to broader industrial goals. This includes supply chain development spanning turbine platforms, port infrastructure, and job creation.
Factsheet for the Crown Estate’s Celtic Sea Offshore Floating Wind Round 5
Leasing Entity: The Crown Estate
Location: Celtic Sea, off South Wales and South West England
Capacity Potential: Up to 4.5 GW across three projects each up to 1.5 GW
Seabed Area: 1,000 km2 across the three project sites
Developers:
- Equinor with 1.5 GW.
- Gwynt Glas wind project also with 1.5 GW
- Ocean Winds with the third 1.5 project site
Environmental Commitment:
- Multi-million-pound marine survey program.
- Up-front Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) also done to de-risk ecological impact.
Socioeconomic Commitment: Job creation and local economic growth. Crown Estate also says a ‘Supply Chain Accelerator’ fund has been launched.
Tender Structure: Three Agreements for Lease to be awarded, totaling to 4.5 GW floating offshore wind development. The Crown Estate also limits bidders to winning only one project site.
Timeline of Key Events
December 2023: Crown Estate announces Information Memorandum for Round 5.
January 2024: Bidders Day held in Swansea.
February 2024: Official Concession Notice for Round 5 announced.
August 2024: Invitation to Tender Stage 1 begins.
Spring 2025: ‘Rising clock’ auction for the three project sites.
Summer 2025: Signing of Agreements for Lease (AFLs) with successful bidders.
October 2025: Equinor and Gwynt Glas enter into lease agreements with The Crown Estate.
November 2025: Crown Estate announces award of rights to develop the third floating offshore wind site in the Celtic Sea to Ocean Winds.
Spring 2026: Crown Estate expects to finalize an Agreement for Lease with Ocean Winds.
