A CALL for a home to provide security for a well-established Pembrokeshire fuel distribution business and a proposed museum, which has hopes of developing further business units, has been submitted to county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Dan Thomas, of KP Thomas & Son, through agent Cynllunio RW Planning Ltd, seeks permission for the erection of dwelling for management of on-site enterprises and associated works at The Fuel Depot, Templeton.

A supporting statement says family-run K P Thomas and Son, situated on a site close to a former airfield and former nuclear bunker, has been operating for 39 years and has “grown into a major local employer, currently providing work for 32 staff,” supplying “over 45,000 customers annually and distributes 30 million litres of fuel, 8,000 tonnes of LPG gas and 500 tonnes of coal every year,” and was “formally designated as an essential key service provider during the Covid-19 pandemic”.

A statement from Dan Thomas said he had moved some 15 minutes away to Narberth when he became a homeowner some five years ago, but “it quickly became clear that this arrangement was not workable due to the urgent and unpredictable nature of our operations”.

He said any detailed several incidents on-site which required an immediate on-site response, “the travel time from Narberth frequently caused delays, operational disruptions, and increased environmental risks”.

He said even living in nearby Templeton could cause difficulties for any emergency call-outs, which often occur in the early hours; the 24-7 business handling fuel distribution and transport logistics throughout Pembrokeshire and beyond, with his own working hours often running from 5am to as late as 8pm.

“Consequently, I had no choice but to relocate to the family home adjacent to the depot to ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of the business. This remains a temporary measure, and a permanent on-site dwelling is therefore essential to ensure long-term operational efficiency, safety, and compliance.”

He added: “As part of our fuel distribution operations, we regularly receive bulk fuel deliveries overnight. In the event of a spill, leak, or fault, an immediate response is vital to prevent environmental contamination and ensure public safety. Currently, if such an incident were to occur, I would need to travel from my home to the site before taking any action.”

As well as the existing facilities, it is hoped to construct several leasable commercial units on the site, with prospective tenants wanting permanent on-site security and immediate site supervision, Mr Thomas said.

His statement also says his grandfather “had begun developing a museum as a business but unfortunately passed away before its completion,” adding: “The value of the museum content alone, excluding the building, which includes a kitchen and café facility, was appraised at just over £12.5 million.”

He finished: “The proposed on-site dwelling is not a matter of convenience but one of operational necessity, safety, and environmental protection.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Milestone highlights growing importance of flexible gas generation as renewables expand

PEMBROKE POWER STATION has reached a major operational milestone after recording the 10,000th start of its combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) units — underlining the plant’s continuing role in keeping the UK electricity system stable as renewable energy increases.

The RWE-owned power station, which opened in 2011, was originally designed to run almost continuously. However, as wind and solar generation have grown, the facility now operates far more flexibly, starting and stopping units to respond to changes in electricity demand and renewable output.

All five generating units now operate across multi-shift patterns, helping to balance the grid when renewable supply drops or when rapid increases in power are required.

Engineers at the site have also significantly improved performance over time. Start-up times have been reduced from around 70 minutes to just 41 minutes, allowing the station to respond more quickly to fluctuations in supply and demand. The units have also completed multiple major maintenance cycles while maintaining high reliability, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Gas-fired power remains a key part of Britain’s energy mix, providing what industry experts describe as “firm and flexible” generation capacity. While renewable sources are expected to supply the majority of electricity in the future, gas stations continue to provide backup and stability when renewable output is low or unpredictable.

Roland Long, RWE Pembroke Power Station Manager, said: “Reaching 10,000 unit starts is a proud moment for everyone at Pembroke. It highlights not just our operational capability but the vital contribution that flexible gas generation makes to the UK’s energy system.

“As the grid becomes increasingly driven by renewables, our ability to start quickly and run when needed ensures security of supply and reinforces Pembroke’s role as a dependable partner in the nation’s energy transition.”

The milestone reinforces the ongoing importance of flexible gas generation in supporting homes and businesses across the UK with secure and reliable electricity, particularly as the country continues to move towards lower-carbon energy sources.

Firms remain positive but optimism weakens compared to UK average

BUSINESS confidence in Wales fell slightly during February, with firms reporting lower optimism about both their own performance and the wider economy.

The latest Business Barometer from Lloyds shows overall confidence in Wales dropped three points to 29%, compared with 32% in January. This contrasts with the UK picture, where confidence remained unchanged at 44%.

Companies reported reduced confidence in their own trading prospects, down three points to 35%, while optimism in the broader economy fell five points to 22%.

Despite the dip, many Welsh businesses said they are continuing to pursue growth plans over the next six months. The top priorities identified were investing in staff through training (71%), developing new products or services (52%), and entering new markets (29%).

The monthly Business Barometer surveys around 1,200 businesses across the UK and has been running since 2002, providing an early indicator of economic trends.

Across the UK, confidence in firms’ own trading prospects fell six points to 53%, although optimism about the wider economy rose eight points to 36%. London recorded the highest regional confidence in February at 59%, followed by the North West and Northern Ireland, both at 58%.

Sector results were mixed. Construction saw a significant rise in confidence, up 14 points to 60%, while manufacturing increased five points to 37%. Retail and service sector confidence dipped slightly, down two and three points respectively.

Nathan Morgan, area director for Wales at Lloyds, said businesses in Wales remain focused on growth despite short-term uncertainty.

He said: “While business confidence dipped this month, we know Welsh businesses are continuing to press ahead with their growth strategies. Whether their plans are to upskill their teams, enter new markets or diversify product and service offerings, we’ll continue to be ready to provide our support.”

Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds Commercial Banking, said the wider economic outlook appeared to be stabilising.

He said: “It’s encouraging to see optimism in the wider economy returning, although with a small reduction in firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects. The majority of the survey results were collected following the Bank of England’s close decision to hold interest rates at its February meeting, signalling potential easing ahead, which may have alleviated business concerns, including those around cost pressures.

“The rise in pricing expectations to a six-month high may indicate firms are looking to rebuild their margins in 2026. It’s also great to see confidence increase for manufacturers and construction firms as they are key for UK growth.”