Sumitomo Corporation has joined the ranks of developers in the UK offshore wind market by acquiring a 33.3% equity interest in the Gwynt Glas floating offshore wind project, alongside EDF Power Solutions UK and Ireland and Electricity Supply Board (ESB). According to offshoreWIND.biz, this marks Sumitomo's first foray into floating offshore wind projects.
The project, located approximately 40 kilometres off the coast of Wales in the Celtic Sea, has a planned generation capacity of up to 1.5 GW and secured a 1.5 GW seabed lease through Round 5 of the Crown Estate's leasing process. The development is expected to unlock significant wind resources that are not accessible with conventional fixed-bottom turbines.
“We are delighted to join the Gwynt Glas project. As a large-scale floating offshore wind development, the project represents an important opportunity to contribute to the energy transition,” said Jun Minase, General Manager for Overseas Energy Solutions at Sumitomo Corporation (offshoreWIND.biz).
Project Partners and Development
The development is being supported by DP Energy, which will handle early-stage project delivery and local engagement. According to the joint venture, consent applications are scheduled to begin in 2028 with commercial operations targeted for the late 2030s (Baird Maritime).
Sumitomo's investment comes as part of a broader strategy to participate more actively in European offshore wind projects. In 2014, Sumitomo began investing in European offshore wind farms and has since continued to expand its presence in this sector. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIS) in 2025, which forms part of their investment initiative.
Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Power Solutions UK and Ireland, expressed optimism about Sumitomo's involvement: “Their extensive global experience in offshore wind development and investment complements our own and ESB’s” (Baird Maritime).
Context for Ship Operators
This entry into the floating wind market by a major Japanese corporation highlights the growing international interest in this technology. Ship operators, particularly those involved in supply chain logistics for offshore projects, can anticipate increased demand for specialized vessels and services as the industry expands.