Dorset Council backs Morwind feasibility study to drive growth and power Dorset’s future

Ambitious plans to bring thousands of high-quality jobs to Dorset has taken another step forwards with a significant investment of £375,000 from Dorset Council to help clean energy firm Morwind progress their Channel Gateway one-year feasibility study.

This investment accompanies £750,000 already pledged by The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator Fund, awarded to Morwind in December, to advance the project from initial outline phase to delivery of an investor prospectus including the development of a clear business case.

Morwind’s proposed Channel Gateway is a £500 million clean energy port facility adjacent to Portland Port and promises to transform Dorset into a centre for offshore wind construction and manufacturing which would unlock major green growth for Dorset. With the potential to deliver thousands of well-paid jobs for local people at the facility and in the supply chain, it is hoped Channel Gateway will attract fresh investment that enables south Dorset to become a clean energy hub.

While it is early days in the development of Morwind’s Strategic National Infrastructure Project, this initial investment is a critical step towards the project becoming a reality in the future. Findings from this phase of rigorous and comprehensive feasibility study will help provide evidence to secure the further investment needed to progress towards the detailed design of the facility and an application for planning consent. This in turn will pave the way for the capital investment required to construct and commission the new Channel Gateway Port.

Channel Gateway would deliver a deepwater construction and assembly platform at Balaclava Bay capable of manufacturing large fixed and floating wind turbine foundations, as well as assembly marshalling and integration of components for deployment across the English Channel, Celtic Sea and beyond. Its flexible design also opens opportunities for wider marine infrastructure manufacturing.

If the feasibility study signals progression of the project is realistic, extensive formal public consultations will form part of a planning and consent processes, ensuring local communities have a range of opportunities to provide input and feedback. If approved and built, the facility is expected to be operational around 2032.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth, said:

“Channel Gateway offers a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for Dorset. It will bring many high quality jobs, attract significant private investment and position Dorset at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy future.

“Supporting the feasibility phase is absolutely the right thing for Dorset Council to do as it’s such a crucial step in unlocking the long-term economic and environmental benefits this project can deliver for our communities and our region.”

As a core partner of the Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster, Channel Gateway expects to accelerate major regional initiatives in offshore wind, carbon capture, and green hydrogen. Over the next decade, the project is expected to create 1,500–2,000 direct jobs. The ripple effect is estimated to create as many jobs again in the wider supply chain across the rest of Dorset and the South-West region. 

Peter Crone, a Morwind Director, said

“Morwind is very pleased that Dorset Council is contributing to the Channel Gateway Feasibility Study to be delivered by advisors including Haskoning and KPMG. This facility will ensure that Portland & Weymouth are well placed to secure long-term benefit from offshore wind manufacturing and operations in the Celtic Sea and English Channel.

“This innovative project will facilitate the development of a local and regional supply chain to service the UK offshore wind industry. From the outset we have recognised the project will be a public/private endeavour, with local social, economic and community value integral to the scheme and baked into the design and operation of the development. The scheme is a transformational project for the region with the potential for over 1,000 high quality, long term, skilled jobs created in the most deprived areas of Dorset.”

Channel Gateway forms an integral part of the Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster which was established to deliver clean energy opportunities for the county. The Cluster estimates the project could unlock £28 billion in inward investment and deliver a £5.5 billion boost to UK GVA* supporting Dorset Council’s priorities around economic growth, sustainable development, and building stronger communities for all.

This investment marks a decisive step toward positioning Dorset at the forefront of the UK’s green energy transition and, if the project goes ahead, the money the council puts in now would turn into shares in the project that are worth 25% more than what the council originally invested.

Claire Pearce, Strategic Director for Dorset Clean Energy Super Cluster said:

“Just a year on from our Cluster being established, this investment by Dorset Council is a testament to the real potential that exists in Dorset for nationally significant infrastructure projects that deliver home-grown clean energy, accelerate positive transformation, strengthen the region’s industrial base and tackle long-standing deprivation by delivering future jobs and skills for local communities.

“This investment into the Channel Gateway project feasibility study is also testament to the strong partnership that the Cluster has developed between the public and private sector. We share Dorset Council’s vision for a future Dorset that is energised by accelerating green growth and strengthening energy security and look forward to helping deliver this together.”

*GVA means Gross Value Added and is the value that a business, industry, or sector adds to the economy.