The Crown Estate initiated Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 in February 2024, offering three sites off the coasts of Wales and South West England, with a combined potential of up to 4.5 GW of installed capacity. On 19 June 2025, The Crown Estate confirmed the selection of the two developers and announced plans to maximize the full capacity by developing a third site. Further details on the next steps are expected by the end of September 2025.
As part of the bidding process, developers were required to propose ports to support project delivery. Equinor and Gwynt Glas identified Port Talbot and Bristol as key locations for the final assembly of floating wind turbines, which will then be towed to offshore sites.
To ensure efficient integration with the UK’s energy grid, The Crown Estate has collaborated with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to establish a strategic plan for connecting the new wind farms. The Crown Estate stated: “This approach ensures these projects will be the first to market with a clear and coordinated grid connection plan.”
This initiative marks a significant step in expanding renewable energy capacity in the Celtic Sea, supporting sustainable energy development in the region.
