News

Marine Energy Hub opens in Milford

Published

8 years ago

September 2, 2016

A NEW Marine Energy Hub has been created in Pembrokeshire this month as Marine Energy Pembrokeshire and the Port of Milford Haven have teamed up in order to share knowledge and facilities.

The joint initiatives between Marine Energy Pembrokeshire (MEP) and the Port of Milford Haven will be located on the doorstep of one of the world’s best marine energy resources.

The hub is a dynamic work site where marine energy companies can come together and share space, facilities and knowledge to unlock the sector’s full potential.

David Jones, MEP’s Project Director, explains “We know how great Pembrokeshire’s resources are and sharing this knowledge has always been at the heart of our activities. The creation of a Marine Energy Hub simply formalises this activity and allows any business to come and directly benefit from Pembrokeshire’s proposition. It’s not just an abundance of marine energy resources; there is also an experienced supply chain.

“Skilled in delivering the needs of the traditional oil and gas sector, the supply chain has already successfully diversified into the marine energy sector, fabricating and delivering Wales’ first tidal stream device with more projects in the pipeline. There is also a deep water port offering test, fabrication and deployment opportunities. The Port is hugely supportive of the marine energy sector and is the development home of Tidal Energy Ltd’s DeltaStream device.

“Of equal importance is the availability of funding. With €100.4 million of EU structural funding prioritised for marine energy in Wales, Demonstration Zones in Pembrokeshire and Anglesey, seabed agreements in place for three separate tidal stream projects, and a number of proposals for significant tidal range projects, Wales is well positioned to play a global leading role in marine energy.”

Set up in 2010, initiatives of this kind are at the heart of the Marine Energy Pembrokeshire proposition.

A strong voice in the industry, working tirelessly to highlight Pembrokeshire’s and Wales’ incredible proposition, MEP will become a vital resource within Pembrokeshire.

The working group meetings are vibrant exchanges, regularly breaking new ground, and the MEP annual seminar has become a key event in the UK marine energy calendar.

They are passionate about marine energy and the importance of collaboration – and they don’t just talk, they act. Users of the Marine Energy Hub will be able to tap into this knowledge base.

First to join the Marine Energy Hub is Marine Space. Their Technical Director, Joseph Kidd, said: “Marine Space has established itself as one of the leading companies in Wales providing development and consenting support to the marine energy sector, and having an office in Pembrokeshire has been a key part of that success.

“We are delighted to now be moving to the new Marine Energy Hub and see it as a great opportunity for us to work even more closely with developers and other organisations involved in marine energy to help push the sector forward.”

Overlooking the magnificent Milford Haven Waterway, the Marine Energy Hub’s office is owned by the Port of Milford Haven, a key supporter of the marine energy sector.

The Port’s Energy Manager, Tim James, said: “Collaboration is at the core of our operations, so MEP’s proposition really aligns with the Port’s aims. We know that Pembrokeshire has a strong future in marine energy and the creation of a Marine Energy Hub is an important step forward in helping more developers realise and access its benefits.”

Holly Pretious, Marine Energy Pembrokeshire Coordinator, rounds off by confirming that there’s more to come from MEP this year with some exciting plans underway: “The team’s overall aim is to establish Pembrokeshire and Wales as a ‘centre of excellence’ for a sustainable marine energy generation. We are looking at some important developments at the moment so it’s a great place to be. We’d encourage anyone who wants to explore how the Hub can add value to the growth of their business to get in touch.”

Crime

Musician pulled over in camper van tested positive for cannabis

Published

9 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A TRAVELLING musician has appeared before magistrates after being found driving his campervan through Haverfordwest when he was over three times the legal drug-drive limit.

Jacob Sparkes, 34, was stopped by officers as he drove his Renault Traffic campervan through Thomas Parry Way, Haverfordwest, on July 20. A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed he had 6.9 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

Sparkes pleaded guilty to the offence and was legally represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“The defendant began taking cannabis as a form of self medication as a result of his epilepsy,” said Mr Kelleher. “At the time of the offence he was travelling in a campervan around Wales, playing music at various festivals.”

Sparkes, of Beech Road, Fairwater, Cardiff, was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.

Crime

Emergency services dealing with ‘serious incident’ at multi-storey car park

Published

10 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Jason Cooper

POLICE, ambulance crews and the air ambulance are attending to what is being described as a ‘serious incident’ at Tenby’s multi-storey car park this evening (Jan 2).

Witnesses said they heard shouting and other commotion in the car park, and shortly afterwards emergency services were at the scene.

Another witness said: “I was in Tenby and saw the helicopter hovering, then heard loads of sirens and didn’t know what was going on, then when I drove past the multi-storey in Park Road I saw loads of blue lights and people gathered.

“It happened right near the motorcycle section of the car park, so the very front near Sainsbury’s.

“This looks to be a very serious incident judging by the large emergency vehicle response.”

Police have asked the public to avoid the area whilst the incident is being dealt with.

They said: “There are currently delays due to a road traffic collision.

“Please be patient and take an alternative route if possible or plan extra time into your journey.”

This is a developing story – you may need to refresh the page to get the latest version.

Crime

Woman who used stolen bank cards having new baby taken into care

Published

10 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has been sentenced for stealing bank cards from a young mother attending to her three young children at Carmarthen Railway Station toilet.

Kelly Rees, 35, a new mother herself, discovered the bag belonging to Cheryl Lewis on August 20. When Rees looked inside, she discovered a purse containing three bank cards and £2 in cash.

This week, Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates that Rees, of Precelly Place, Milford Haven, removed the purse from the bag and travelled back to Pembrokeshire where she made multiple attempts to use the stolen cards to purchase items. These included a visit to Tesco, Milford Haven, where she purchased goods valued at £189 using one of the stolen cards.

Ms Vaughan said the offences were committed while Rees was serving a Community Order for previous convictions.

Rees pleaded guilty to theft and of fraud by false representation.

“She’s genuinely remorseful for her actions,” said her solicitor Michael Kelleher. “She’s recently given birth, but her child will now be going into foster care.”

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates sentenced Rees to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months. She must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was ordered to pay £189 compensation to Cheryl Lewis, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

“Multiple attempts to use those cards does not reflect well on your thinking process,” commented the presiding magistrate when sentencing Kelly Rees.