RWE has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art green hydrogen facility next to the Pembroke Power Station.

The proposed project will see the construction of a 110 MWe electrolyser plant capable of producing approximately two tonnes of hydrogen per hour, a cleaner alternative energy source that promises to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the area.

Starting Monday, RWE will open a pre-application consultation, inviting local residents and stakeholders to share their insights and opinions on the plans. This consultation period will conclude on 20 May 2024. Interested parties are encouraged to review the details and submit their feedback online, ensuring community input is integrated into the development process.

The hydrogen produced at the Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant will serve as a vital component in reducing reliance on fossil fuels for local industries, substituting them with a cleaner option that produces only oxygen as a by-product. With the capacity to cut approximately 93,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to removing 18,600 cars from the road—the facility aligns with the UK Government’s target of achieving 6 GW of green hydrogen production by 2030.

Richard Little, Director of the Pembroke Net Zero Centre, emphasized the importance of local support for the initiative: “To secure the future of industry in South Wales, and safeguard local jobs, we need to provide clean energy alternatives, locally. Our proposals for green hydrogen generation will do just that, helping to reduce CO2 emissions in local industrial activities by approximately 93,000 tonnes every year.”

RWE’s vision for the Pembroke Net Zero Centre, where the plant will be located, includes a diverse array of sustainable technologies, such as battery energy storage systems and floating offshore wind. The development is expected to bolster Pembrokeshire’s economy by preserving existing jobs and creating new opportunities through the construction and operational phases of the project.

Community members are invited to contact the project team, provide feedback via the project website, or arrange private discussions to further understand the project’s scope and impacts. This consultation offers a crucial opportunity for residents to influence a project that stands to reshape the region’s industrial landscape while advancing towards a sustainable future.

RWE, the UK’s largest power producer and a leader in renewable energy generation, continues to expand its green hydrogen capabilities across the country, targeting 2GW of electrolyser capacity in its core markets by 2030.

LOCAL Senedd Member Paul Davies has reacted to the news that St David’s surgery in North Pembrokeshire has decided to resign its General Medical Services Contract. It’s understood that for registered patients, care will continue to be provided until the end of October 2024 and patients are being advised to remain registered with the Practice while longer-term plans are developed. Patients will be invited to share their views as to how these services can continue to be delivered after the end of October.

Mr Davies said, “This is a very worrying announcement and patients in the local area will be understandably anxious about what this means for the future.”

“It’s vital that GP services can continue to be delivered in the area in the future and so Hywel Dda University Health Board must be open with patients of the Practice about their plans and address the community’s concerns. Every effort must be made to ensure that patients are able to access services in the long term.”

“I will of course, be raising this with the Welsh Government and urging the Health Minister to do everything in her power to support the Health Board and help ensure patients can access these vital services.”

A OCG member, who hid from officers under a pile of clothes, has received a prison sentence of almost five years.

Rhys Jones, 21, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday 17 April, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – heroin and burglary.

He was sentenced to four years and 10 months imprisonment.

Jones was arrested following a warrant at his address where he was found in possession of heroin with a street value of more than £25,000.

He was later caught on CCTV using a stolen bank card linking him to a burglary where a car, money and bank cards had been taken in the early hours of the morning.

The car has since been recovered.

Rhys Jones, the officer in the case, said: “Jones was arrested as part of Operation Bergen, a proactive and collaborate operation set by our Serious Organised Crime (SOC) and Neighbourhood team, to tackle serious organised crime in Rhymney and the surrounding area.

“He is a significant member of a serious organised crime group and was found in possession of vast quantities of heroin.

“We know that drug supply often has links into different types of criminal behaviour and Jones went on to commit further offences – showing his complete disregard for the criminal justice system and the community that he is a part of.

“Jones was driven by greed – selling drug to make money for the OCG and line his own pockets with no consideration for the harm and distress he caused.

“The public play a vital role by providing intelligence about drug dealing in their area and we welcome any information from our communities to help us tackle illegal activity.”