COMMUNITIES across Wales are being promised a stake in what ministers describe as the largest public investment in locally owned energy projects in British history, with up to £1 billion earmarked for solar panels, battery storage and small-scale renewable schemes.

The funding, announced this week by Great British Energy and the UK Government, forms part of a new “Local Power Plan” aimed at helping councils, schools, clubs and community groups generate and sell their own electricity.

Ministers say the approach will cut bills, create income streams and keep profits local rather than flowing to major energy companies.

However, while the headline figure is eye-catching, details about how much money will reach Wales — and how quickly — remain limited.

Welsh projects already backed

The government says nearly £9.5 million has already been allocated to projects in Wales over the past year, delivered with the Welsh Government.

Examples include rooftop solar on schools in Wrexham and Newport, and a new installation at Big Pit National Coal Museum in Pontypool, which is estimated to save more than £280,000 in energy costs over its lifetime.

A further scheme at a highways depot in Neath is projected to save the local authority around £910,000.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the plan would “transfer wealth and power back to communities”, while Wales Secretary Jo Stevens described it as a way for towns and villages to “take charge of their own energy supplies”.

Big ambition — but funding spread thin

Despite the rhetoric, the £1bn pot is UK-wide and expected to support more than 1,000 projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If split evenly, that would average around £1m per scheme — though ministers say grants and loans will vary and some funding will be reserved for advice and capability building rather than construction.

Community energy groups have long argued that red tape, grid connections and upfront costs are bigger barriers than ambition.

There are also questions over whether smaller volunteer-led organisations will have the technical expertise to compete for funds against better-resourced councils and developers.

Industry bodies broadly welcomed the move but stopped short of calling it transformational without clearer timelines.

What it could mean locally

If delivered effectively, the model could allow:

• village halls and sports clubs to reduce running costs
• schools to generate income from spare electricity
• councils to cut energy bills on public buildings
• residents to buy shares in local renewables

Supporters say that keeps money circulating in the local economy rather than leaving the area.

The announcement follows other energy developments affecting Wales, including backing for offshore wind in the Celtic Sea such as the Erebus Floating Offshore Wind Farm off Pembrokeshire.

Waiting for the detail

For now, communities are being invited to register interest via Great British Energy, with grant schemes expected to launch later this year.

Whether the plan proves to be a genuine shift in ownership or simply another competitive funding round will depend on how accessible the money is — and how much of it ultimately reaches places like Pembrokeshire rather than being absorbed at national level.

Local groups considering bids will be watching closely.

Haven Waterway set to become major hub for wind, hydrogen and port jobs as Wales launches investment prospectus

PEMBROKESHIRE could be in line for billions of pounds of new energy investment after a major national strategy identified Wales’ ports and heavy industry heartlands as key to unlocking more than £20bn in clean infrastructure projects over the next decade.

A new Clean Energy Investment Prospectus published this week by Net Zero Industry Wales sets out a pipeline of “investible” projects across offshore wind, hydrogen, industrial decarbonisation, ports and data centres — with the Haven Waterway widely seen as one of the most attractive locations in the country.

Industry experts say Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock already have the deep-water access, grid connections and industrial land needed to host the next generation of energy schemes.

The Herald understands that several projects linked to floating offshore wind assembly, hydrogen production and port upgrades are being explored locally as part of the wider push.

Jobs and contracts

The Prospectus acts as what organisers call a “one-stop shop” for global investors, bringing together sites, policy support and funding routes.

For Pembrokeshire, that could mean:

• port expansion and quay strengthening
• turbine assembly and maintenance bases
• marine engineering and fabrication work
• hydrogen and low-carbon fuel plants
• construction and long-term skilled jobs

Floating wind alone is expected to create thousands of roles across Wales during construction and operations, with much of the heavy lifting likely to happen in west coast ports.

With the Celtic Sea tipped to become one of Europe’s largest floating wind zones, Pembrokeshire’s existing energy infrastructure gives it a head start.

Major players already circling

Recent Welsh Government announcements linked to the programme include commitments and interest from global firms such as RWE, Eni, and Vantage Data Centres.

Support is also available through bodies including the Development Bank for Wales, aimed at helping projects move quickly from planning to delivery.

Ben Burggraaf, chief executive of Net Zero Industry Wales, said Wales offered “a unique combination of natural competitive advantages and industrial capability”.

He added: “We have significant clean energy resources, a strong industrial base, and a large and diverse pipeline of projects backed by credible organisations and skilled people — giving investors both scale and opportunity to make a real difference.”

Government backing

Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said the country was “primed to capitalise on the UK’s clean energy revolution”.

She said: “By working together with developers and stakeholders we can boost our economy and achieve our renewable energy targets for Wales.”

Why Pembrokeshire fits the bill

Energy analysts say few places in the UK combine:

• two LNG terminals
• deep-water shipping access
• heavy industry and engineering skills
• available dockside land
• existing power connections

All of which are already present around the Haven.

That makes the area particularly attractive for assembling massive floating wind structures and servicing turbines once operational.

Local businesses — from steel fabricators to haulage firms and electricians — could benefit from supply-chain work if even a fraction of the promised investment lands in the county.

Long-term impact

While the £20bn figure covers the whole of Wales, insiders say west Wales stands to gain disproportionately because large-scale energy schemes simply cannot be built inland.

For Pembrokeshire, the Prospectus signals that the Haven Waterway’s future may be as a green energy powerhouse rather than a traditional fossil fuel hub.

If realised, it could reshape the county’s economy for a generation.

Photo caption: Milford Haven’s deep-water port and industrial shoreline are seen as prime locations for offshore wind and hydrogen investment (Pic: Herald file).

Cold snap expected to create hazardous roads and pavements overnight into Monday morning

PEMBROKESHESHIRE residents are being urged to take extra care after a yellow weather warning for ice was issued for the whole of Wales.

The alert, issued by the Met Office, covers the period from late Sunday night (Feb 1) until mid-morning on Monday (Feb 2), with temperatures expected to drop to around minus two degrees Celsius in some areas.

Forecasters say wet roads and surfaces left by earlier showers are likely to freeze quickly after dark, creating icy stretches on untreated roads, pavements and rural lanes across Pembrokeshire.

Travel disruption possible

The Met Office warns that icy patches may form widely, increasing the risk of slips and falls and making journeys slower and more hazardous, particularly during the Monday morning commute.

Untreated side roads, country routes and shaded areas are expected to be most affected, with black ice possible in places where frost is not easily visible.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys, slow down and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Pedestrians are urged to wear suitable footwear and take care on steps, slopes and pavements.

Gritting teams are expected to treat main routes overnight, but officials warn that not every road can be covered.

Local outlook

Temperatures across the county are forecast to fall sharply after sunset on Sunday, with frost forming widely before dawn. Inland and higher ground areas are likely to see the coldest conditions.

Residents are also being encouraged to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours and ensure homes are adequately heated during the cold spell.

Conditions are expected to improve later on Monday as temperatures rise above freezing, but further updates may be issued if the forecast changes.