Gigascale floating wind-fuelled hydrogen hub off Wales gets oars in the water

First stage of 2.3GW Celtic Sea complex could be online as early as 2027, based on deal inked by developer Source Energie and electrolyser technology outfit ERM Dolphyn

CGI of construction of floating wind farm
CGI of construction of floating wind farmFoto: ERM Dolphyn

The first stage of a giant 2.3GW floating wind-fuelled hydrogen complex off Wales could be online within five years, following the signing of a deal between UK-headquartered developer Source Energie and technology outfit ERM Dolphyn.

The pair plan to advance the 300MW Dylan development, sited some 60km off the Pembrokeshire coast in the Celtic Sea, as the lead-off array, with an eye on a “deployment date of 2027/2028”.

“Source Energie is sure that green hydrogen will play a significant role in energy storage, as a fuel for future transportation needs and as a source of hydrogen for industrial processes,” said CEO Kevin Lynch.

“We are excited to work with ERM Dolphyn to take offshore green hydrogen production to significant industrial scale.”

ERM Dolphyn commercial director Steve Matthews, said: “Areas of deep water around the UK and Ireland provide great opportunities to generate green hydrogen at scale, and to deliver this carbon free fuel to areas of emerging demand, where it can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels.”

Renewables-focused financial advisors Green Giraffe were brought in by ERM Dolphyn for the Source Energie deal.

The company’s electrolysis technology is also being used for the 200MW Salamander floating wind-powered hydrogen project being developed off Scotland by Simply Blue Energy and Subsea 7.
The Celtic Sea, which has coastline in England, Wales and Ireland, has in recent months been thrust into the industrial limelight as a potentially major offshore wind province, with the UK government last November announcing plans to open new seabed for up to 4GW of floating plant, enough capacity to power four million homes.
Floating wind power’s global build-out this decade has been forecast by the Global Wind Energy Council to reach over 16GW, though some analysts remain concerned outdated current government policy frameworks have the potential of limiting the sector to deploying as little as 5GW by 2030.
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Published 23 March 2022, 10:46Updated 23 March 2022, 15:17
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