Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Latest Welsh energy conference reveals gap

Published

on

download (4)OVER 200 representatives of business, government, academia and a few community organisations crammed into a Cardiff conference to look ahead at energy in Wales on Monday (Dec 15). The overwhelming message was one of frustration at the widening gap between the amazing potential for renewable energy in Wales and its realisation. David Jones for Marine Energy Pembrokeshire flagged up the resource lying all around Wales that is currently untapped.

Our tides and waves could potentially power Britain and Pembrokeshire is among the best sources. Even a modest 30 MW installation could provide 2000 person years of employment and be operational in a few years. The meeting called often for vision and leadership quality from government. Lack of progress was also caused by a cobweb of regulations that choke progress in their dark embrace. Plaid Cymru assembly member Alan Ffred chairing the event, said that planning rules should insist on community benefit, as this would have cut through many of the complexities.

He said: “It is incomprehensible that community benefit was not included as a requirement, a tragic wasted opportunity.” The industry itself took a share of the blame for not getting communities on their side at the outset. “Wind is now toxic in Powys”, said the chair of Powys against Pylons. “I am not highly qualified like all the other speakers, I am just a fairly good dairy farmer, but I cannot get a wind turbine for my farm now, people are so hostile to them.” Examples of companies who had got their public relations right were also cited, such as Swansea Bay lagoon. They were the exceptions. This contrasted with public opinion.

Peter Davies, also from Pembrokeshire and chair of all things to do with sustainable futures at the Welsh Assembly reported on the million conversations exercise across Wales. He said: “People’s first concern with energy is cost, but climate is a high second when it comes to long term concerns. People like renewables and are against coal and fracking with mixed views on nuclear.” This feeling is shared in Pembrokeshire according to an online petition for the county to move to renewables.

A well known climate denier MP also spoke, and presented a barrage of unreferenced figures showing that climate change had stopped years ago, stating we have enough fossil fuels for hundreds of years, and the thing to do is to get on with fracking and coal mining in the UK as these produce cheaper energy. Gerwyn Williams for UK onshore Gas Group presented graphs showing vast sources of gas to frack. His company is seeking investment on the stock exchange without success.

Interestingly, both the climate denier and the gas chief were ignored by the rest of the meeting. Renewables were what everyone was interested in. Another huge barrier turned out to be the national grid. We heard that even a very modest 18kW community hydro cannot go ahead because there is no grid capacity. Mid Wales including Ceredigion and Powys are especially grid poor. All the capacity has been prebought up by giant solar farms which may or may not ever be built.

Maxine Frerk from Offgen who regulates the UK grid said this did not sound right and she would look into it. Plaid Councillor for Ceredigion, Alun Williams spoke to her afterwards and arranged to meet with her and Western Power, which is the grid operator blocking progress, to get to grips with the challenge. The conference was called because of the possibility to allow Wales to take control of power generation up to 350 megaWatts, which is up from the present 50MW.

This increase in powers is a result of the promises made to avert the Yes vote in the Scottish referendum. Conference speakers favoured this increase in powers, but with the right leadership. Welsh Labour Government Minister, Carl Sergeant spoke warmly about community renewables. He acknowledged we needed a Wales based planning inspectorate to cope with the increased powers. He refused to answer any questions with any detail, figures, dates or actions, much to the frustration of the waiting media.

The day had started with the coffee running out early. The prestigious attendees from governments and corporations queued in vain after their long journey for the expected cuppa. This, sadly, epitomised the lack of ability in Wales to rise to its potential. Alan Ffred, chair of the Environment Committee said: “Frustration is a word we are hearing a lot today.”

 

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Crime

Man who threatened to kill Herald editor given suspended prison sentence

Published

on

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who sent a message threatening to kill Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair has been given a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Anthony Jones, aged 34, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 23) for sentencing after being found guilty of two offences following a trial earlier this month.

The court heard that on February 24, 2025, Jones sent a communication conveying a threat of death or serious harm, contrary to the Online Safety Act 2023. Magistrates were told he intended, or was reckless as to whether, the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.

Jones was also convicted of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress following an incident on April 8, 2025, in Pembroke involving a police officer.

Magistrates imposed a total custodial sentence of 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, for the threats against Mr Sinclair. He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim, £640 prosecution costs, and a £154 surcharge.

For the racially aggravated harassment offence, Jones received a separate 12-week prison sentence, also suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently, together with £200 compensation.

The court was told the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, with magistrates noting the defendant had shown a “flagrant disregard for people” and had targeted the victim with serious threats.

A victim personal statement from Mr Sinclair was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The custodial sentences were suspended after the court heard Jones had not offended for some time, was employed, had children, and was assessed by probation as not presenting a high risk of harm or reoffending.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Man remanded in custody over Tenby assault allegations

Published

on

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing serious injuries to a woman in Tenby.

Lewis Thompson-Gill, aged 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, Worcestershire, is accused of assaulting a female on December 28, 2025, causing actual bodily harm.

He also faces a further charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent in relation to the same incident.

The court heard the case during a mention hearing on Monday (Feb 23).

Thompson-Gill previously entered a not guilty plea to the assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge. A plea to the grievous bodily harm charge has not yet been recorded.

Magistrates remanded him in custody due to concerns he could commit further offences, cause injury or fear of injury to an associated person, or interfere with witnesses.

The custody time limit in relation to the assault charge expires on March 9, while the limit for the grievous bodily harm allegation expires on April 13.

The case was adjourned for trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 2 at 2:00pm. The hearing is expected to last around two and a half hours.

The Crown Prosecution Service has been directed to serve the full case file on the defendant before the next hearing.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Eleven-year jail term for rape after judge finds victim ‘particularly vulnerable’

Published

on

A MAN from Newport has been jailed for eleven years after being convicted of raping a woman who was asleep and physically vulnerable.

Yogesh Parmar, aged 35, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Feb 23) following a trial in which jurors heard harrowing details of the abuse suffered by the victim.

Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards said the complainant had been “particularly vulnerable” at the time of the attack because of her small physical stature and the fact she was asleep when the rape occurred.

The court heard Parmar placed heavy gym weights against the bedroom door to prevent the woman from leaving the room.

In her personal statement, the victim said that when she told Parmar his behaviour was harming her, he responded by telling her to “get used to it”.

It was also heard that he dismissed her distress by describing her as “hormonal” when she reacted to his pattern of abuse. The victim told the court she regarded Parmar as “a predator”.

In mitigation, defence counsel argued the complainant had “woken to him effectively having intercourse”.

Alongside the eleven-year custodial sentence for rape, Parmar was handed a 20-year restraining order. He also received a two-year concurrent sentence on a separate count of controlling and coercive behaviour.

Judge Richards told the defendant the offences represented a grave breach of trust and had caused lasting harm to the victim.

Parmar will serve his sentence in custody before being subject to restrictions upon release.

 

Continue Reading

Crime1 hour ago

Man who threatened to kill Herald editor given suspended prison sentence

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who sent a message threatening to kill Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair has been given a suspended...

Health5 hours ago

Senedd debate called on NHS crisis as Welsh Conservatives demand emergency action

Row intensifies over waiting times, A&E pressures and hospital service changes THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have brought forward a Senedd debate...

Crime22 hours ago

BBC documentary reveals local man murdered mother then lived with her body

A NEW BBC documentary examining one of Pembrokeshire’s most disturbing crimes will be broadcast this week — and includes contributions...

Sport2 days ago

Late heartbreak as Scotland snatch victory in Cardiff thriller

Wales 23 – 26 Scotland WALES suffered agonising late heartbreak at the Principality Stadium on Saturday (Feb 21) as Scotland...

Local Government2 days ago

First Minister left red-faced as Labour candidate pulls out during Hakin campaign visit

Candidate says withdrawal follows ‘abuse’ towards candidate’s son and backlash over Withybush Hospital downgrade plan THE FIRST MINISTER was left...

Business3 days ago

Pembrokeshire businesses ‘squeezed to breaking point’ amid economic pressures

MS highlights concerns from local firms as Wales employment figures lag behind UK BUSINESSES in Pembrokeshire are feeling increasingly squeezed...

News3 days ago

Council tax to rise again as Pembrokeshire sets new budget

Schools and social care receive extra funding in 2026–27 spending plans PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has approved its budget for the...

Health3 days ago

Stroke patients to be transferred to Carmarthen under new health plan

Withybush to provide initial treatment before specialist care elsewhere PEMBROKESHIRE patients who suffer a stroke are set to be transferred...

Health4 days ago

Health board confirms major hospital changes across west Wales

Emergency surgery centralised as Withybush role shifts toward planned care MAJOR changes to hospital services across west Wales have been...

Health4 days ago

Withybush loses emergency surgery in shock health board decision

Paul Davies vows Senedd fight as fears grow over travel times and patient safety PEMBROKESHIRE patients will be forced to...

Popular This Week