Campaigners say Reform policies could risk future investment in Haven energy projects

A WEST WALES climate campaign group has urged voters in Milford Haven and Hakin to consider the future of green energy jobs before casting their ballots in the upcoming local election on Monday (Mar 17).

The intervention from the West Wales Climate Coalition (WWCC), which describes itself as a network of environmental and social justice organisations operating across the region, comes as campaigning intensifies ahead of the vote.

In a statement issued this week, the group warned that electing councillors opposed to green transition policies could undermine investment linked to the emerging Celtic Freeport and floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.

The coalition previously organised a petition in September 2025 questioning the work of a Pembrokeshire County Council review group examining the authority’s Net Zero strategy.

Following the petition, a representative of the group addressed a full council meeting on Wednesday (Oct 9), where councillors were urged not to abandon climate planning commitments.

During that meeting, Cllr Marc Tierney, Cabinet Member for the Well-being of Future Generations, said Pembrokeshire “does not want to be left behind” when it comes to supporting green transition policies.

The issue has become closely linked to the future of the Celtic Freeport centred on Milford Haven, where major port upgrades and new manufacturing facilities are expected to support the rollout of floating offshore wind (FLOW) technology in the Celtic Sea.

Supporters say the projects could bring significant investment and new skilled jobs to the Haven Waterway.

The UK Government has identified Pembrokeshire as a key location for funding to develop port infrastructure and train workers needed to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

However, the WWCC claims that policies proposed by Reform UK in Wales could slow or reverse progress towards renewable energy development.

The group argues that voters should consider how the election result could affect long-term investment and employment opportunities linked to the green energy sector.

In its statement, the coalition said Milford Haven is “in an enviable position” to benefit from investment associated with the green transition, but warned that failing to continue preparing for the shift to low-carbon energy could see jobs and infrastructure projects move elsewhere.

The Milford & Hakin ward election will take place on Monday (Mar 17).

THE CELTIC FREEPORT has secured £638,000 in UK Government funding to support key infrastructure projects in Pembroke Dock and Port Talbot, helping to unlock future investment and accelerate development linked to floating offshore wind and clean energy industries.

The funding forms part of a wider £3.3 million package announced for sixteen Industrial Strategy Zone projects across the UK. The three successful Celtic Freeport schemes will focus on removing development barriers and preparing sites for future commercial activity.

Successful projects

Criterion Quay, Pembroke Dock — £213,000

Funding will support technical assessments required to enable floating offshore wind operations and maintenance (O&M) infrastructure at the site.

Talbot Wharf, Port Talbot — £265,000

Land remediation works will improve the viability of development plots, making them more attractive to companies within the floating offshore wind supply chain.

Port Talbot Marine Infrastructure — £160,000

Feasibility and design work will be carried out to refurbish two jetties, supporting future import and export activity and strengthening marine capability at the port.

Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said:“From offshore wind manufacturing on the Humber to new clean energy facilities in Pembrokeshire, this backing for our freeports will generate real economic growth across the country. By tackling the barriers developers face early on, we’re helping to unlock significant private investment and create thousands of good jobs in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.”

Luciana Ciubotariu, Chief Executive of Celtic Freeport, said: “Today marks a significant milestone for Pembroke Dock and Port Talbot. Securing UK Government funding for these three projects accelerates the Celtic Freeport’s vision, supporting investment in port infrastructure that will enable floating offshore wind and the wider green energy transition.”

THE FINAL stage of a call for a 1.5km hydrogen gas pipeline in Pembrokeshire in connection with a previously granted scheme for green energy production has been given the go-ahead by the national park.

Late last year Pembrokeshire County Council approved a scheme by Zurich-based MorGen Energy Ltd, previously known as H2 Energy Europe, sought permission for a 1.5km six-inch 10-bar low-pressure hydrogen pipeline and associated Above Ground Installation at the Impala Terminal, Milford Haven to the South Hook Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal.

A supporting statement through agent Fisher German said the scheme crossed both Pembrokeshire County Council and the national park authorities, with a similar application before that authority.

It added: “The proposals form part of the West Wales Hydrogen project, where planning permission was granted on October 6, 2023, for the development of a new 20MW hydrogen production facility at the Impala Terminal (formerly Puma Energy) in Milford Haven.

“The approved hydrogen production facility which uses electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, where the oxygen is a by-product of the process.  The hydrogen production plant will produce 1,875 tons of hydrogen per year. Hydrogen will be distributed via high pressure vessels (40 ft. containers) to various customers in the closer vicinity, opening the hydrogen market to a large variety of customers.

“Hydrogen will also be distributed to the South Hook LNG Terminal and it is proposed that this will be via a new six-inch 10-bar hydrogen pipeline. The option to supply hydrogen to the South Hook LNG terminal via high pressure hydrogen containers was dismissed due to safety considerations at the terminal.

“This application therefore seeks planning permission for a section of below ground hydrogen pipeline within the jurisdiction of Pembrokeshire County Council, which comprises the north part of the route from the hydrogen plant at Impala to the South Hook LNG Terminal, alongside an AGI at the Impala Terminal.”

An officer report accompanying that approval said the southern part of the proposed pipeline was within the jurisdiction of the Pembroke Coast National Park Authority.

A national park officer report for that part, recommending approval, said its section of the pipeline “is a linear parcel of land comprising approximately 0.994 hectares,” adding: “It is mainly the location of a disused railway, now overgrown with scrub and grassland, in the open countryside.”

It added: “The development site is cross-boundary, situated primarily within the jurisdiction of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (the south-west extent), with a small section of the proposed pipeline (and an above-ground installation (AGI)) within the Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) LPA area (the north-east extent).”

The national park side was conditionally approved by planners.