A MAJOR boost for Wales’ renewable energy sector could bring thousands of new jobs after a record number of projects secured UK Government backing — including one development in Pembrokeshire.

Twenty large-scale renewable energy schemes across Wales have been awarded contracts in the latest Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction round, providing long-term price guarantees for electricity generation and allowing construction to move forward.

The successful projects include five onshore wind farms, 12 solar developments and three tidal energy schemes, with a combined capacity of more than 530 megawatts.

Among them is the Pembrokeshire Solar Park, a proposed 9.9MW solar development which could contribute to local energy generation and economic activity in the county.

Welsh Government ministers said the projects together could create thousands of green jobs while helping Wales meet its carbon reduction targets.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I am delighted these projects have been successful in the latest auction round. As well as meeting vital targets to reduce carbon, onshore wind and tidal energy bring major economic benefits and high-quality jobs to Wales. The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring Wales is at the forefront of the green energy revolution.”

Nearly all available UK tidal funding in this auction round — 99.65% — was secured by Welsh projects, strengthening Wales’ position in marine energy development.

Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said improving planning certainty had been key to attracting investment.

She said: “We know how important clarity and certainty are for developers, which is why we are working hard to speed up the planning process for major infrastructure projects. Our new legislation and our investment in capacity building is already making a difference.”

The Welsh Government said the developments will also create supply-chain opportunities for local businesses across Wales.

While the majority of projects are located outside west Wales, the inclusion of the Pembrokeshire scheme highlights the county’s continuing role in the transition toward renewable energy, alongside existing and planned marine and hydrogen initiatives around the Milford Haven Waterway.

The Contracts for Difference scheme is the UK Government’s main mechanism for supporting low-carbon electricity generation, providing developers with a guaranteed price for power over a fixed period to reduce financial risk and encourage investment.

Further details about timelines for individual projects are expected to emerge as developers progress planning and construction phases.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Senedd Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz have blasted fresh calls to hand control of policing from Westminster to Cardiff Bay.

Following renewed calls from Plaid and Labour to transfer responsibility for policing in Wales to the Senedd, the pair confirmed that a Welsh Conservative Government in May would block any such move.

While proposals to devolve policing have been raised since the creation of the Senedd, there remains strong opposition, especially as England and Wales already share one legal system.

They say the plan would create more red tape, not safer streets.  And they warned it cuts both ways. Any move towards a single police force in Wales would be just as bad — an idea from Westminster they flatly dismiss as out of touch.

Commenting, Paul Davies said: “Those advocating the devolution of policing are mistaken if they believe it will improve police services in Pembrokeshire.”

“Rather than creating another costly layer of bureaucracy in Cardiff Bay, the four Welsh forces should focus on making better use of their existing budgets.”

“We need stronger rural crime teams, greater investment in early intervention and youth services, and support for community-led crime prevention. The tools already exist within Dyfed-Powys Police, devolution is not a magic wand.”

Samuel Kurtz added: “Further devolution is not in the interests of Pembrokeshire residents, and there is little public demand for it.”

“Currently, all four Welsh forces either require improvement or are delivering only the minimum standard on key metrics and this has got to change.”  

“Communities like ours need policing that tackles rural crime, theft from vehicles and anti-social behaviour. Debates over whether the UK or Welsh Government is in charge are a distraction and will delay delivering the improvements people want to see.”

Ministers withdraw decision affecting 30 councils as court claim resolved

THE UK GOVERNMENT has withdrawn its decision to postpone local council elections in England scheduled for May 2026 after a legal challenge brought by Reform UK, according to official court correspondence seen by The Herald.

A letter from the Government Legal Department, dated Monday (Feb 16), confirms that the Secretary of State has decided to reverse the earlier postponement “in the light of recent legal advice”, meaning the elections will now proceed as planned in May.

The claim — Reform UK Party Limited v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government — had been lodged in the Administrative Court in London.

The correspondence states that the Housing Minister, who had not been involved in the original decision, was asked to reconsider the position urgently due to the tight timetable. Following that review, ministers concluded that the elections should go ahead.

The Government has also indicated it will seek to agree an order with the claimant to formally dispose of the case and will pay Reform UK’s legal costs.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed victory following the development, writing on social media that the party had “taken this Labour government to court and won”.

He added: “In collusion with the Tories, Keir Starmer tried to stop 4.6 million people voting on May 7th. Only Reform UK fights for democracy.”

The Government has not publicly commented in detail on the claim itself, but the letter makes clear that the reversal was prompted by legal advice rather than a full court judgment.

The dispute centred on the proposed postponement of elections across 30 local authorities, a move which critics argued would have delayed millions of voters from going to the polls.

With the decision now withdrawn, preparations for May’s local elections are expected to proceed as normal.