Llŷr offshore wind farm calls for timely consents decision from Welsh Government

Llŷr offshore wind farm, a pioneering Celtic Sea test and demonstration project, is urging Welsh Government to make a “positive and timely decision” on the next steps of their consenting process. The LLŷr project has already secured a Marine Licence from Natural Resources Wales and is now awaiting consent under Section 36 from the Welsh Government. A decision is required by 20 July 2026 to enable the project to meet the deadline for the UK Government’s Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 8.

Wales has an important opportunity to strengthen its position in the growing global offshore wind industry by enabling pioneering projects such as Llŷr to move forward.

Projects of this kind could help Wales develop and export the technologies needed to support the global energy transition, while building domestic expertise and reducing reliance on infrastructure designed and manufactured elsewhere.

The Llŷr programme comprises two separate 100MW offshore wind Test and Demonstration projects in the Celtic Sea, south of Pembrokeshire. Developed by Cierco Energy through The Crown Estate’s Test and Demonstration leasing programme, the projects are intended to support the commercialisation of the next generation of offshore wind technologies and would be among the first projects of their kind to be developed and constructed in UK waters.

The projects will test different foundation and mooring technologies, helping to accelerate innovation in an area widely regarded as critical to unlocking deeper-water offshore wind resources.

By providing a real-world environment in which new designs, materials and construction approaches can be demonstrated at scale, Llŷr has the potential to reduce risk for future commercial developments and strengthen UK supply-chain capability.

The significance of Llŷr extends beyond the generation of renewable electricity. As one of the UK’s early Celtic Sea offshore wind Test and Demonstration projects, it offers Wales an opportunity to develop expertise in floating foundations, mooring systems, offshore fabrication, marine operations, port infrastructure and project delivery ahead of larger-scale Celtic Sea deployment.

It could also support South West Wales in establishing itself as a recognised centre for offshore engineering and floating and deep-water wind innovation, serving both domestic developments and future export markets as the industry expands internationally.

Successful delivery of Llŷr would help develop the industrial capabilities needed to support commercial-scale offshore wind deployment in the Celtic Sea. It could create opportunities for ports, manufacturers, universities, technology companies and supply-chain businesses across South West Wales.

Test and demonstration projects play an important role in the development of emerging industries. They provide an environment in which companies can build experience, supply chains can develop, technologies can be proven and investors can gain confidence.

With the right support, early demonstrator projects can contribute to the development of future manufacturing, technology and offshore engineering clusters.

The Celtic Sea presents Wales with an opportunity to invest early in the technologies, infrastructure and industrial capabilities that will be needed as offshore wind moves into deeper waters. Allowing projects such as Llŷr to progress would represent an important step towards realising that opportunity.

Marine Energy Wales works collaboratively with stakeholders across the sector to support the timely consenting and successful delivery of Welsh marine renewable energy projects. Through workstreams such as our Consenting Strategic Advisory Group, we provide a forum for industry to voice its needs, identify barriers to efficient, proportionate and timely consenting, and work with regulators and government to develop practical solutions that enable projects to progress in Wales.

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