Plans to establish a new generation of floating offshore wind farms off the coast of South West England and South Wales have taken a step forward with the conclusion of one of the opening stages of the tender process for Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5.

Developers wishing to bid for one of three Project Development Areas (PDAs) have now submitted their responses to the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ), which requires them to demonstrate their technical experience, as well as their legal and financial standing before progressing through the process.

The milestone comes as a major programme of marine surveys continues around proposed sites for the new windfarms, supported by a group of young seafarers taking their first steps into a maritime career.

Bidders who progress beyond the PQQ stage of the tender process will move forward to Invitation to Tender Stage 1 (ITT1), where they will be expected to set out their plans for delivering broader social and environmental value through their projects. This includes how they intend to work with ports, and demonstrate they have reached agreements with port operators to support the delivery of their proposed wind farms.

Floating offshore wind is a new technology that enables turbines to be mounted on floating platforms, before being towed out to sea and tethered to the seabed. This means that new areas of deeper water can be used for the generation of renewable energy, and can be located further out to sea where the wind patterns are stronger and more reliable.

Expected timetable

The Crown Estate first set out plans in 2021 to establish a new market for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. In December 2023 it published an Information Memorandum with further details of its Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, ahead of the formal start of the tender process in February this year.

The Crown Estate expects to inform bidders of the outcome of the PQQ in early July, ahead of the start of ITT1 process in August.

The final stage of the tender process (ITT2) will see remaining successful developers participate in a “rising clock” auction for the three PDAs. This is expected to take place in Spring 2025.

The process is expected to conclude with the awarding of Agreements for Lease in Summer 2025.