First offshore wind project approved by new Welsh Government

Nation.Cymru staff

The new Welsh Government has given the go-ahead to its first major offshore wind project, with around 2,000 jobs expected to be created during construction.

The Llŷr Wind Farm, planned for the Celtic Sea off the Pembrokeshire coast, has been granted Section 36 consent by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy Adam Price.

The test and demonstration project is being developed by Cierco Energy and will be used to trial offshore wind technology designed for deeper waters.

First power generation from the wind farm is targeted for 2031.

The latest approval follows a marine licence granted by Natural Resources Wales in June and an agreement with the Crown Estate in July securing rights to the seabed.

The Welsh Government said around 2,000 jobs are expected to be created during construction, with further skilled roles once the development is operational.

Mr Price said: “Major offshore wind projects such as this important scheme can be catalysts for economic growth and prosperity.

“We will work with the company to ensure this project will deliver high-quality jobs to people in Wales, which directly aligns with our mission to boost productivity.

“This project marks a major milestone for Wales’ clean energy aspirations.”

Celtic Sea

The project is one of the first offshore wind test and demonstration schemes planned for the Celtic Sea.

Unlike conventional fixed-bottom turbines, technologies being developed for deeper waters could allow wind farms to operate in areas where attaching turbines directly to the seabed is more difficult.

The Llŷr project is intended to demonstrate how new technologies can be deployed before potentially being used in larger developments.

The Celtic Sea has become a major focus for the offshore wind industry, with developers and governments looking at the potential for large-scale projects and associated investment in ports and supply chains.

Cierco Energy, which was established in 2001, specialises in developing new offshore wind technologies.

Scott Harper, chief executive of the company, said: “Securing Section 36 Consent is a fantastic achievement for Llŷr and for Wales.

“As one of the Celtic Sea’s first offshore wind test and demonstration projects, Llŷr will help position South West Wales as a global hub for offshore wind innovation, advanced engineering, and clean energy expertise.

“This project not only accelerates Wales’ transition to renewable energy, but also creates opportunities for local businesses, ports, universities, and the wider supply chain – building the capabilities needed for future large-scale deployments and international growth.”

The granting of Section 36 consent allows the project to move towards its construction phase, with first generation currently planned for 2031.

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