News

Welsh marine energy sector recognised

Published

11 years ago

December 11, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Heavy lift: The turbine under construction

THE OFFICIAL short-list for the 2014 Tidal Today Energy Awards has been announced, recognising excellence and outstanding achievements in the tidal sector over the past year. Welsh based projects have been nominated for an impressive total of three awards; Best example of Industry Collaboration (Marine Energy Pembrokeshire), Best Small Company (Tidal Energy Limited) and Most Supportive Supply Chain Company (Pembroke Port).

Elizabeth Demestiha, Project Director at Tidal Today, said: “We are delighted to see that Marine Energy Pembrokeshire, Tidal Energy Ltd and Pembroke Port are finalists for an International Tidal Energy Award, this really demonstrates the momentum that is building for the Welsh marine energy sector, and we hope that this will encourage further collaboration between key players.”

Wales’ profile as an ideal location for marine renewables has increased in recent years, due to the excellent collaborative work by Marine Energy Pembrokeshire and its members. The working group comprised of technology developers, the supply chain, academia and the public sector provides a platform to collaborate on operational solutions such as research, contacts and knowledge exchange.

The success of this collaboration is highlighted by the number of developers and supply chain companies who are now members. Project Director of Marine Energy Pembrokeshire, David Jones, said: “Wales is entering a critical phase in the growth of marine renewable energy. There is increasing developer interest, new structural funds prioritising marine energy and Demonstration Zones for wave (Pembrokeshire) and tidal (Anglesey).

Our last meeting saw new developers join us from America, Australia, Singapore and Sweden. We are delighted to be short-listed, particularly alongside Tidal Energy Limited and Pembroke Port who are both members of MEP, highlighting that collaboration is key and that momentum in Wales is increasing.” Nominated for best small company, Tidal Energy Limited uses the DeltaStream technology, conceived by Pembrokeshire Marine Engineer Richard Ayre.

Deployment of the technology, which was fabricated on site by marine engineering experts Mustang Marine, is imminent with all commissioning work complete and the heavy lift barge stationed at Pembroke Port. The project is being used to prove the capability of DeltaStream as a tidal stream generator and will provide evidence on how the device interacts with the environment around it.

During its deployment, the device will be connected to the local distribution network, allowing the electricity generated by it to contribute to the renewable energy targets of the Welsh Government. The importance of collaboration has been further highlighted in the Awards by lgiving recognition to the most supportive supply chain company.

It’s a vital element which helps drive time and cost efficiencies for developers. Pembroke Port plays an important role in the region’s supply chain. The deep water port is within easy steaming distance of the area’s superb marine energy resource and has the onsite flexibility to accommodate renewables projects.

It has been instrumental in encouraging and demonstrating collaborative working with developers and other members of the supply chain. Kevin Hobbs, Short Sea Director at the Port of Milford Haven, has overseen the Tidal Energy Limited project based at the Pembroke Port facility. He said: “This is an exciting time for us all. We know the importance of building strong relationships and are delighted to receive this nomination from our clients, Tidal Energy Limited.”

Claire Palmer, Business Development and Project Manager, explained “Pembrokeshire has a superb marine energy resource and, importantly, has the supply chain services and infrastructure needed by developers in order to fabricate and deploy innovative devices. By working closely together we can fully understand their business and project requirements which means that we can offer them a crucial level of flexibility and, ultimately, time and cost efficiency.”

Alec Don, Chief Executive at the Port, added “Our long term strategy, supported by significant investment, has enabled Pembroke Port to become a key delivery centre for this growing industry and we are already beginning to take enquiries from key industry players. To receive recognition for this from within the industry is a proud moment not just for us, but for the whole of Pembrokeshire and Wales.”

The continuing development of marine energy has huge potential to create sustainable jobs for the region with a recent study by Welsh Government highlighting the impact this new sector could bring. A 30MW wave installation and a 30MW tidal stream installation has the potential to support over £70m of GVA across Wales, based on total investment of £150m. It could also provide 2,000 person-years of employment associated with development and installation, with a further £2m in GVA and 50 FTE jobs per annum throughout the period of generation.

Cllr Jamie Adams, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, added: “Pembrokeshire County Council recognises the critical role that the energy sector plays in the local, regional and national economy and proactively supports developments that help to diversify and sustain the sector and the county’s position as the UK energy capital. Marine renewables offer exciting opportunities for quality local jobs to be created and we’re delighted to be working with partners to help unlock this potential.”

Business

Plaid energy policy challenged by Labour after Adam Price interview

Published

11 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LABOUR SAYS MINISTERS MUST EXPLAIN COST AND TIMETABLE FOR PYLON PLANS

PLAID CYMRU’S approach to energy infrastructure has come under scrutiny after Energy Minister Adam Price was challenged over plans to reduce the use of overhead pylons in Wales.

Mr Price defended the Welsh Government’s position during an appearance on BBC Radio Wales’ Sunday Supplement, arguing that communities must have greater confidence in how major grid projects are handled.

Plaid Cymru has pledged to give communities a stronger voice over energy developments and to look more closely at alternatives to overhead transmission lines, including underground cabling where possible.

The issue has become increasingly sensitive in rural parts of Wales, where proposed pylon routes linked to renewable energy schemes have raised concerns about landscape impact, tourism and local consultation.

However, Welsh Labour said the minister had failed to explain when any restriction on pylons would take effect, or who would pay the additional cost of placing cables underground.

A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: “Adam Price keeps saying how clear their manifesto was and yet he won’t say when they’re banning pylons. They won’t say who is paying for the extra cost of undergrounding cables.

“Without certainty, companies won’t invest. That’s thousands of clean, green energy jobs at risk. Plaid need more than a plan to have a plan.”

Labour said the Welsh Government must now set out how its policy would work in practice, including whether it amounts to an outright ban, what exemptions would apply, and how any extra costs would be funded.

The debate highlights the challenge facing ministers as Wales seeks to expand renewable energy generation while addressing public opposition to large-scale grid infrastructure.

Community

Pembroke Fair praised as well-organised community event

Published

12 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HORSES, STALLS AND FAMILY CROWDS RETURN TO MONKTON

FAMILIES, horse owners and visitors turned out in force for Pembroke Fair on Saturday (May 23), with many praising the event as one of the best organised in recent years.

Held at the Community Centre Field in Monkton, the annual fair brought together horse owners, traders and local families for a traditional day centred around horses, ponies, stalls and socialising.

Coloured cobs, heavy horses, ponies and horse-drawn traps attracted attention throughout the day, with many visitors gathering around the field to watch the animals being shown and led around the site.

A variety of stalls selling everything from clothing and ornaments to tack and second-hand goods helped create a lively market atmosphere, while food vendors kept visitors fed throughout the day.

Despite overcast conditions at times, the event remained busy, with many attendees staying for several hours to enjoy the traditional fair atmosphere.

Community members later took to social media to praise the smooth running of the event, with several publicly thanking organiser Charlie Price for his efforts in bringing the fair together.

Comments described the day as “well organised” and praised the welcoming atmosphere, with many saying it was encouraging to see a long-standing local tradition continuing to thrive.

The fair once again brought together members of the travelling community, local residents and horse enthusiasts from across west Wales.

A horse drive was also due to take place on Sunday (May 24), continuing the weekend’s celebrations.

Photo captions:

Traditional gathering: Horses, ponies, horse-drawn carts and market stalls drew crowds to Pembroke Fair in Monkton on Saturday (Pic: Herald).

News

Watchdog criticises health board over £10m GP contract checks

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HEALTH board has been criticised by Audit Wales after GP contracts worth more than £10m were awarded without sufficient due diligence checks.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board allowed a GP partnership associated with eHarley Street Primary Care Solutions to take on eight GP contracts in south-east Wales, with a combined annual value of around £10.1m.

Audit Wales said the board should have carried out greater scrutiny before approving the arrangements, including checks on financial resilience, workforce plans, business risks and the partnership’s ability to manage several practices at once.

However, the watchdog found no evidence of fraud and noted the board was dealing with significant pressure in general practice, including vacant contracts and limited interest from other bidders.

The report said weaknesses in governance and scrutiny contributed to later disruption and uncertainty for patients and staff when problems emerged.

Concerns included financial and workforce pressures, unpaid invoices, and issues relating to tax and pension payments. Some contracts were later handed back, requiring the health board to step in to protect services.

Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Minister for Health and Social Care, said the findings were “deeply concerning”.

She said: “Patients and staff were left facing disruption and uncertainty because proper scrutiny was not carried out before these contracts were awarded.

“The Welsh Conservatives believe lessons must be learned to ensure robust checks are in place, protect frontline services and restore confidence in primary care across Wales.”

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board accepted the recommendations and said it had already strengthened its processes.

Audit Wales said the case highlighted the need for stronger checks before GP contracts are transferred, particularly when a single partnership is taking on multiple practices in a short period.