UK’s deepwater wind developer Marine Power Systems (MPS) has received funding from the Welsh government to develop technology that will position Wales as a leader in offshore wind.

Around 80% of the world’s offshore wind resource sits in water too deep for traditional turbine platforms to reach. MPS will use the £8m ($10.7m) investment to market its PelaFlex wind turbine platform, which can operate at depths beyond 60 m.

The investment will also lay the foundations for a large-scale manufacturing facility in Wales, creating high-value jobs and strengthening local supply chains, with wider benefits for Wales’s net zero ambitions.

The funding follows recent Welsh successes in Contract for Difference auction rounds, supporting the broader goal of building a supply chain capable of servicing the offshore wind sector, including the deployment of turbines in deeper water.

“Alongside major projects like Awel y Môr and Erebus, supporting innovative companies like MPS helps us build a high-value supply chain, creates skilled jobs and helps us meet global and national net zero targets,” said Rebecca Evans, Welsh cabinet secretary for energy.

“PelaFlex is designed to unlock deep-water offshore wind, where most of the world’s wind resource lies. With this support, we can accelerate commercialisation, scale deployment and position Wales as a global centre for deepwater wind innovation and manufacturing,” added Gareth Stockman, CEO at MPS.