Written question WQ92537

We have provided direct funding in South Wales to support port infrastructure development plans. We continue to work closely with those ports on how best to support the development of their port infrastructure for the manufacture and assembly of Floating Offshore Wind (including securing part of the £160m funding available from UK Government) and to take full advantage of the growth of Fixed Offshore Wind.

We are also supporting Welsh Ports through the establishment of two freeports in Wales; the Celtic Freeport covering Milford Haven and Port Talbot, and Anglesey Freeport in North Wales. Both freeports will benefit from devolved tax reliefs from the Welsh Government, aim to attract billions in public and private investments, and have the potential to create substantial new jobs by 2030. Freeports in Wales are designed to enhance Welsh Government investment and policies for stronger, fairer, greener local economies.

We have introduced the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill into the Senedd, which will establish a new process for consenting major infrastructure projects in Wales. This bill will streamline and unify the decision-making process, helping to support port investment and development to ensure they are ready to support these offshore wind projects.