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Plans shelved for South Hook power plant

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southhookDIFFICULT market conditions are being cited as the reason that South Hook LNG has put plans for a proposed combined heat and power plant in Milford Haven on hold.

Following the completion of ground works, shareholders met last week to make a decision on beginning the construction stage of the project, located inside the South Hook LNG site.

A spokesperson for South Hook CHP Limited said: “I can confirm that the Board of Directors of South Hook CHP Limited determined that, in the light of current market conditions, the decision regarding proceeding with the construction of the proposed South Hook combined heat and power (CHP) plant near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire will be deferred and the Project placed on hold. Development work will be brought to minimum levels required to maintain the integrity of the work done to date and allow the timely and efficient restart of development if required.”

Speaking on behalf of the Shareholders, Nasser Al Jaidah (Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Petroleum International) said: “The decision to place the Project on hold and to defer the investment decision on the South Hook CHP Project was a difficult one for the shareholders to make and reflects the fact that in the light of today’s market conditions all discretionary major investments have to be rigorously appraised. The decision is in no way a reflection on the attractiveness of the South Hook CHP Project itself, the UK as a place to invest or the support we have received for the Project from government and other stakeholders at the national, regional or local level.”

Speaking on behalf of the Shareholders, Nasser Al Jaidah (Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Petroleum International) said: “The decision to place the Project on hold and to defer the investment decision on the South Hook CHP Project was a difficult one for the shareholders to make and reflects the fact that in the light of today’s market conditions all discretionary major investments have to be rigorously appraised. The decision is in no way a reflection on the attractiveness of the South Hook CHP Project itself, the UK as a place to invest or the support we have received for the Project from government and other stakeholders at the national, regional or local level.”

Stephen Crabb MP said: “This is very disappointing news. The construction of the South Hook CHP project would have been a real boost for the local economy. Unfortunately, with the recent collapse in world energy prices, the shareholders of SHCP have had to look again at their planned investments.”

“South Hook CHP have invested considerable effort in bringing the proposals to this point and I am hopeful that this decision will be reviewed again when market conditions change.”

Cllr Paul Miller also spoke of his disappointment. The Labour parliamentary candidate told The Herald: “The news that the South Hook CHP Project is to be put on hold is yet another blow for our county. Murco closing was a body blow but the short term construction jobs the CHP project could have brought – right now when Pembrokeshire jobs are disappearing fast – will be really missed.”

He added: “I understand the economics of energy is difficult at the minute and is changing more rapidly that we’ve seen in a decade or more but government needs to look past the peaks and troughs and while money is cheap plough ahead and invest in Britain’s energy infrastructure for the future.”
Artist's impression of the shelved project

Artist’s impression of the shelved project

QPI Global Ventures Limited, ExxonMobil Power Limited and Elf Petroleum UK Limited announced in 2012 that they were considering building a combined heat and power (CHP) plant within the boundary of the South Hook Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. An opportunity was identified to provide high-efficiency, low carbon energy to the UK by building a CHP plant adjacent to the existing LNG Terminal. The CHP plant would make highly efficient use of the heat it produces through an innovative integrated design. All the power generated by the CHP plant would be either used to replace power currently imported by the South Hook LNG Terminal or exported to the electricity grid.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. ieuan

    February 3, 2015 at 7:39 am

    It is no surprise this project has been cancelled or put on the back burner, there is no immediate profit in this project so they are happy to wait, whilst we freeze and have no lights!

    the spare generating capacity in this country is at its lowest and these greedy riff raff are holding us to ransom!

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Community

West Wales sewage crisis: New calls for accountability amid environmental concerns

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THE SEWAGE pollution crisis engulfing West Wales continues to deepen, with new data and growing public pressure exposing serious environmental failures across multiple river catchments — including the River Teifi and the Cleddau.

Ceredigion emerged as the most sewage-polluted area in England and Wales

Teifi among UK’s most polluted rivers

According to 2024 monitoring data, the River Teifi now has been ranked the fifth most sewage-polluted river in the UK, suffering 2,232 discharges lasting a combined 22,288 hours. The discharges, all recorded by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, underscore the dire state of the region’s infrastructure and regulation.

Meanwhile, Ceredigion emerged as the most sewage-polluted area in England and Wales, with 8,252 discharges lasting 94,836 hours—an unprecedented scale of pollution that has alarmed residents, politicians, and environmental groups alike.

Cleddau is the worst-performing Special Area of Conservation river in Wales

Cleddau declared worst-performing SAC river in Wales

Concerns have also intensified in Pembrokeshire, where the Cleddau River has now been classified by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as the worst-performing Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river in Wales, failing to meet environmental standards across key metrics. The designation has triggered political mobilisation and grassroots activism.

The Cleddau River Project and Surfers Against Sewage have been particularly prominent.

A public meeting held last month at Haverfordwest Rugby Club last week drew more than 150 concerned residents, bringing together politicians, scientists, campaigners, and regulators to discuss solutions. Organised by local advocacy group The Cleddau Project, the event was chaired by Henry Tufnell MP, who vowed to raise the issue in Westminster.

“The Cleddau is a vital natural resource, and last night’s discussion highlighted the urgent need for action,” said Tufnell. “The insight shared by our expert panel and members of the community reinforced the importance of tackling pollution at its source and ensuring our regulatory bodies are held accountable. I will be raising these issues in Parliament and pushing for stronger regulations and enforcement.”

Campaign leader Ric Cooper, of The Cleddau Project, added: “It was encouraging to see so many people engaged in this discussion, but we need to ensure that words translate into concrete action.”

Lib Dems say that residents deserve transparency and action

Residents raised concerns about illegal discharges, agricultural runoff, and what they described as a systemic failure of enforcement by authorities.

At the meeting Jennifer Grubb from Welsh Water said: “We can do better. We need to do better.”

Political pressure mounts

Across West Wales, political figures are now facing increasing scrutiny. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have lambasted both Welsh Labour and the UK Conservative Government for what they describe as regulatory complacency.

Sandra Jervis, Welsh Lib Dem Senedd candidate for Ceredigion, said: “Welsh Labour has remained asleep at the wheel—using Dŵr Cymru’s status as an arm’s-length body as an excuse to avoid proper regulation and accountability. Residents deserve transparency and action.”

Sandra Jervis, Welsh Lib Dem Senedd candidate for Ceredigion

Party leader Jane Dodds MS added: “The Welsh Labour Government must get to grips with this crisis, properly regulate Welsh Water, and ensure there are real, enforceable punishments for breaking the rules and damaging our waterways.”

Welsh Water responds

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has attributed the vast number of discharges to the limitations of outdated rural infrastructure and reliance on Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).

A company spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the public concern and are committed to transparency and improvement. We’ve pledged £2.5 billion over the next five years, including £889 million specifically to improve storm overflows, to meet the challenges of climate change and aging infrastructure.”

Despite this, the company’s environmental record remains under intense scrutiny.

Regulatory failings and rising enforcement

Natural Resources Wales reported 107 sewage pollution incidents involving Welsh Water in 2023, with the number of serious incidents increasing from five to seven. Meanwhile, Ofwat has launched enforcement actions against all water companies in England and Wales, including Dŵr Cymru, amid growing concern that routine sewage releases have become normalised.

Impact on health and ecosystems

The effects are being felt far beyond the water’s edge. Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage reported 1,853 illness cases in 2024 linked to contaminated waters across the UK, many of them in Wales. Tourists and locals have also raised alarm over poor water quality at beaches in Cardigan Bay, New Quay, and along the Cleddau estuary.

The ecological cost has been severe. Local groups such as Save the Teifi have warned of dead fish, algae blooms, and collapsing biodiversity. “This is ecological vandalism,” said campaigner Lowri James. “Our rivers are dying before our eyes.”

From the Teifi to the Cleddau, the evidence is now overwhelming: sewage pollution is not confined to one catchment or one company—it is a widespread crisis demanding national attention. With communities, scientists, and politicians increasingly aligned in their calls for change, the question now is whether those in power will act before irreversible damage is done.

Cover image:

Surfers against sewage at Broad Haven in May 2024 (Image: Martin Cavaney)

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Charity

Charity distances itself from viral post as £4,000 theft claim goes viral

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A VIRAL Facebook post accusing a man of stealing £4,000 from a veterans’ charity has been described as “unauthorised and irresponsible” by a senior member of the organisation.

The post, shared more than 2,100 times, was made by campaigner Eddy Cooper and alleges that Darren Edmundson — also known locally as “Pembrokeshire Patriot” — took money raised for PTSD Camp Bath while entrusted with access to the charity’s accounts.

However, when contacted by The Herald, Steve, who identified himself as second in command at PTSD Camp Bath, strongly criticised the claims and distanced the organisation from the social media post.

He said: “The post put out by Eddy Cooper was done without authorisation from the camp. He did this of his own volition, and if he is going down to Pembrokeshire to find Darren, then he is doing that on his own.”

“It was very irresponsible of Eddy Cooper to have shared that post on Facebook. I am not on there myself, so I have not seen anything.”

Steve confirmed he remains in contact with Darren Edmundson, who has reportedly lost his phone but is still communicating by email.

“We understand that he is down in Pembrokeshire on welfare business, and we expect him to return.”

On the main allegation of financial wrongdoing, he said: “Darren has no access to money which is ringfenced, and as of yet the accusation is unsubstantiated — we haven’t even seen the account to determine if anything is missing.”

He also rejected one of the most serious claims in the post — that Mr Edmundson had taken money from a 73-year-old Royal Marine staying at the camp.

“That accusation is false,” he said. “Because that is me. I shall be having a word with Eddy Cooper.”

He added: “If we do find money is missing, then it becomes a police matter.”

The organisation, he said, is aware of the concerns raised and will be issuing a formal statement shortly.

The Herald also spoke to Jo Drayson, who runs PTSD Camp Bath with her husband Dion. Mrs Drayson confirmed she had contacted the police and was advised that the situation could be a civil matter, rather than criminal.

This is because Darren Edmundson is legally authorised to access the account as its registered holder.

Mrs Drayson said she had not yet contacted the account provider, SumUp, to verify whether any funds had been spent, but planned to do so shortly.

She also claimed that she had been removed as a signatory on the account and that Mr Edmundson had allegedly changed the passwords, which could make access difficult.

The Herald has approached Avon and Somerset Police for comment.

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News

Man dies after medical emergency in Saundersfoot

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A 62-YEAR-OLD man has died following a medical emergency in Saundersfoot on Wednesday (Apr 16).

Emergency services were called to The Strand at around 3:20pm, but despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The man’s family have been informed and the matter has been referred to the Coroner.

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