Marine Power Systems (MPS) has successfully secured funding from The Crown Estate through the initial round of its innovative Supply Chain Accelerator. The match-funded grant will enable MPS to conduct a technical and commercial feasibility study for establishing a fabrication facility to produce primary steel components for its innovative PelaFlex floating platform technology.
With Port Talbot as the preferred location, the facility would serve both the Celtic Sea and export markets via the Celtic Freeport – offering tax advantages, excellent connectivity, and access to local skills and supply chain.
The highly automated facility will enable mass production of PelaFlex, creating a competitive product for the growing global market in floating offshore wind whilst driving investment, job creation, and economic growth in South West Wales.
Established in May, the Accelerator is a £50m fund created to accelerate and de-risk the early-stage development of UK supply chain projects that service the offshore wind sector.
Marine Power Systems is transforming the way energy is harnessed from offshore winds in deep water. Their flexible modular technology is designed for volume manufacturing at an industrial scale and accelerates cost reduction.
Their advanced floating platform technology, PelaFlex, supports the rapid deployment of industrial scale floating offshore wind whilst maximising local content delivery through existing supply chain. High system stability, low overall mass and zero tilt maximises energy yields, allows for simple installation using standard vessels and increases operation and maintenance weather windows. Multiple launch options and shallow draft support a distributed port model for faster deployment and reduces the need for specific port requirements.
In early 2024, The Crown Estate published the Celtic Sea Blueprint which predicted that 5,300 jobs and a £1.4bn economic boost could be generated through deploying the first floating offshore wind capacity, that will result from the current Leasing Round 5 process, in the waters off South Wales and South-West England. The research highlighted a number of opportunities for supply chain growth essential for the development of these floating wind farms, including the components required to build floating offshore wind platforms.
The Crown Estate’s role is to create long-term value for the country, and it focuses on using the land and seabed it manages to help catalyse net zero, restore nature, create thriving communities and drive economic growth.
Gareth Stockman, CEO at Marine Power Systems commented: “We are thrilled to have secured funding from The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator, and it means we can advance our plans to develop a fabrication facility in Port Talbot that leverages local supply chain strengths to deliver our innovative PelaFlex floating platform at scale. It marks a significant step toward establishing our first UK manufacturing base. This is an exciting milestone for Marine Power Systems, with the potential to make a transformative impact on the local economy.”
Will Apps, Offshore Wind Strategy Director at The Crown Estate, said: “It’s fantastic to announce the successful organisations receiving funding through our Supply Chain Accelerator. We’ve been encouraged by the level of interest the Accelerator has generated in the market and are delighted with the calibre and range of projects which we’ll be supporting.
“The purpose of the Accelerator is to help grow and nurture the UK’s domestic supply chain, a crucial factor if the UK is to realise the potential of offshore wind in delivering its ambitious clean power and net zero goals, contributing to jobs and prosperity in communities across the UK.”
