Lib Dems warn jobs boost may be limited as turbines set to be built abroad

MILFORD HAVEN’S role in Wales’ flagship floating wind project remains unclear after new criticism emerged over the Port Talbot investment.

The UK Government has announced £64 million to turn Port Talbot into the UK’s first floating offshore wind hub in the Celtic Sea, a move expected to support thousands of jobs.

However, fresh political concerns have now been raised over how much of that economic benefit will actually stay in Wales.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have warned that the project risks becoming an assembly operation rather than a full industrial supply chain.

David Chadwick MP said: “Any job creation is a positive step for Port Talbot, but Labour need to be honest about what this actually contains.

“These turbines are set to be built using imported steel and only assembled locally, not manufactured. This means much of the real economic value will still go elsewhere.”

Milford Haven still waiting for clarity

The announcement has also left unanswered questions about Milford Haven’s role within the Celtic Freeport.

While Port Talbot has secured clear backing as the main construction hub, there has been no detailed explanation of what activity will be based in Pembrokeshire.

That lack of detail is significant.

Milford Haven already has deep-water access, established energy infrastructure, and a long-standing role in UK energy security—factors which many expected would place it at the centre of offshore wind operations in the Celtic Sea.

Jobs — but where is the value?

The UK Government says the project could unlock over £500 million in private investment and support up to 5,000 jobs.

But critics argue that if key components are manufactured overseas, Wales risks missing out on the higher-value parts of the supply chain.

That raises a broader concern for Pembrokeshire: whether Milford Haven will secure meaningful long-term work, such as maintenance, servicing, and logistics—or be left with only limited involvement.

Energy transition moment

For Milford Haven, the stakes are high.

The port has long been a cornerstone of Britain’s fossil fuel infrastructure.

Floating offshore wind represents the next phase of that story—but exactly how big a role the Haven will play is still to be defined.

With billions in investment expected in the Celtic Sea, local leaders are now likely to push for clearer commitments to ensure Pembrokeshire is not left behind in the transition.

Sector partnership targets 100% renewable electricity by 2035

A NEW deal has been launched to help Wales meet its renewable energy targets while ensuring greater benefits for local communities.

The Renewable Energy Sector Deal will see the Welsh Government and industry work in strategic partnership to unlock the full economic potential of Wales’ renewable energy future.

The announcement coincides with the publication of the latest Energy Generation and Energy Use in Wales report, which shows renewable electricity generation in 2024 was equivalent to 54% of Wales’ electricity consumption.

The Welsh Government has set a target for renewable electricity to meet 70% of demand by 2030 and 100% by 2035. It also aims to deliver at least 1.5 gigawatts of locally owned renewable energy capacity by 2035.

The Sector Deal is intended to accelerate deployment across onshore and offshore wind, solar, marine and hydro projects. It will also focus on strengthening supply chains, developing skills, and ensuring communities across Wales benefit directly from renewable energy developments.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, is launching the deal during a visit to the Morlais tidal energy project on Anglesey.

The Morlais scheme, owned and managed by social enterprise Menter Môn, is set to become the largest consented tidal energy project in Europe. The Welsh Government holds an £8 million equity stake in the project.

Rebecca Evans said: “Our ambition is to become a world leader in renewable energy, creating jobs and green growth to make families in Wales more prosperous and help with the cost of living.

“The current conflict in the Middle East has further highlighted the importance of energy independence. Our Renewable Energy Sector Deal will provide a strong foundation for future delivery, benefiting our economy, environment and energy security.

“The Morlais project shows how sustained partnership can unlock Wales’ natural energy resources and turn them into lasting economic opportunities for local communities and businesses.

“The latest energy report shows we are making progress towards our targets. Combined with the record 20 major renewable projects, totalling 1,400MW, backed in the most recent UK Government Contracts for Difference auction, it is clear we are building a more resilient, renewable-powered future.”

Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Môn, added: “The Renewable Energy Sector Deal is an important step in accelerating growth in Wales and across the UK.

“It recognises the role marine energy schemes like Morlais can play in strengthening energy security, creating high-quality jobs and delivering long-term economic benefits for communities such as Anglesey.”

The Sector Deal was co-produced by a task and finish group made up of developers and community organisations.

Responding to the Welsh Government’s Renewable Energy Sector Deal, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “This so-called ‘sector deal’ raises more questions than it answers.

“There is no clear plan for how we build the workforce needed, with no detail on training, skills or apprenticeships to deliver the green jobs Wales needs.

“Ministers also promise benefits for communities, but without minimum standards or enforcement, there is no guarantee local people will see the rewards.

“Most concerning is the lack of focus on energy bills. Families are struggling, yet there is no clear explanation of how this will bring down costs. Renewable energy should mean cheaper bills, but as long as electricity prices are tied to gas, households won’t feel the benefit, something Labour in Westminster has failed to fix.”

Bangor University scientists join £2.1m project investigating the impact of bottom trawling on carbon stored beneath the seabed

A STATE OF THE ART research vessel has set sail from Liverpool to investigate how bottom trawling may affect carbon stored in the seabed of the Irish Sea.

The scientific expedition is part of a £2.1 million research project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and led by Professor Jan Geert Hiddink of Bangor University.

A team of eighteen scientists has embarked on the RRS Discovery, one of the world’s most advanced research vessels, for a three-and-a-half-week voyage studying the impact of fishing activity on carbon held in seabed sediments.

Before the ship departed, a number of local dignitaries were invited aboard for a tour of the vessel, including Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and National Oceanography Centre Operations Director Natalie Campbell.

Professor Jan Geert Hiddink, from Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences, said bottom-trawl fishing is both vital to global food supply and a major disturbance to seabed environments.

“Bottom-trawl fishing provides around a quarter of global seafood but is also the most extensive physical disturbance caused by human activities to stocks of carbon locked in seabed sediments,” he said.

“This is important because recent evidence suggests that disturbing the seabed could lead to the release of significant amounts of greenhouse gases from the seabed into the atmosphere.

“There are still major uncertainties about how this disturbance affects carbon stored beneath the seabed. As a result, the impact of these disturbances is largely unquantified and currently unregulated.

“The aim of this project is to gain a much clearer understanding of what is happening so that scientists, policymakers and regulators can make informed decisions in the future.”

Seven research organisations are collaborating on the project: Bangor University, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Heriot-Watt University, the University of Leeds, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the University of St Andrews, and Imperial College London.

Caption: Scientists prepare to begin their research aboard the RRS Discovery, one of the world’s most advanced research vessels.