Support for Welsh bids for floating offshore wind work

Ledwood Mechanical Engineering, Mainstay Marine Solutions and CELSA Steel UK will all receive support from the programme, which is designed to support local companies bidding for work in the floating offshore wind industry.

“This is the first time that our F4OR programme has been tailored exclusively for the floating wind market, and F4OR Wales has been designed to give businesses the skills and expertise to deliver success in this rapidly growing sector,” said Davood Sabaei, F4OR project manager at ORE Catapult.

Project partners

The F4OR programme is delivered in partnership with Floventis Energy, the developer of the proposed floating offshore wind developments Llŷr 1 and 2 in the Celtic Sea.

“Test and demonstration projects like Llŷr 1 and 2 are what will build a floating offshore wind industry in Wales, so it is critical that we work with the supply chain to maximise the opportunity,” said Cian Conroy, head of project development UK & Ireland, Floventis Energy.

“We’re delighted that so many great companies took the time to apply for the programme and look forward to working with Ledwood, Celsa and Mainstay Marine on the F4OR programme over the coming months to prepare them for forthcoming opportunities in the Celtic Sea and beyond.”

F4OR will give the companies the opportunity to develop expertise in the renewable energy sector and also the chance to supply materials, fabrication and installation services as part of the floating offshore wind supply chain.

Plans for future F4OR Wales cohorts are already in the pipeline and further details will be announced in the coming months.

F4OR is a 12-18 month programme, designed alongside industry experts, which has provided much needed support across the UK since it started in 2019.

To date, five F4OR regional programmes have been delivered in the North East of Scotland, North East of England, East Anglia and Suffolk, alongside national programmes run across Scotland and UK-wide.

Over 110 companies have been supported, with participants experiencing an average 28% increase in turnover and many securing a wide range of new contracts.