Ocean Winds Secures Third Celtic Sea Floating Wind Site

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Ocean Winds has secured the third floating offshore wind site in the Celtic Sea, offered through the Crown Estate’s Round 5 auction earlier this year. The developer is joining Equinor and the Gwynt Glas joint venture, which were awarded rights for two of the three sites offered in Round 5 in June.

On 19 November, the Crown Estate said that Ocean Winds was set to be awarded the rights for a third floating offshore wind site in the Celtic Sea.

In June this year, following the auction in which the third site was not assigned, the UK seabed manager stated it would ensure the delivery of the full potential capacity of up to 4.5 GW available through Round 5 through the deployment of a third site.

The Crown Estate says that, since then, it has been actively engaging the market to secure a developer for the third site, and that Ocean Winds secured the area following a direct award process in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

Ocean Winds and the Crown Estate will now work towards finalising a lease agreement, which is expected to conclude in Spring 2026.

Equinor and Gwynt Glas, a joint venture between EDF and ESB, entered into lease agreements for their floating wind projects in October.

“I’m incredibly proud that we have delivered on the commitment we made to secure a developer for the third site in the Celtic Sea, and we’re delighted that Ocean Winds will join other world-leading companies to invest in the UK and help establish this pioneering new technology for the long-term benefit of the country” , said Dan Labbad , Chief Executive of The Crown Estate.