News
RWE welcomes Vaughan Gething MS to Pembroke site to discuss decarbonisation ambitions
WALES’ largest power producer and number one renewable energy generator, RWE, welcomed Minister for Economy Vaughan Gething MS to the Pembroke site for a site tour and discussion on how the company is supporting Wales’ net zero ambition.
The company recently launched the ‘Pembroke Net Zero Centre’ (PNZC) as the hub for RWE’s decarbonisation projects and development activities in the Celtic Sea. PNZC is made up of three distinct pillars:
Decarbonisation of Pembroke Power Station via blending and combustion of clean hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, including feasibility studies on retrofitting the existing power plant;
Green Hydrogen production, including Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies for an initial 100-200MW ‘pathfinder’ electrolyser project to supply green hydrogen to local industry and transport, with GW-scale opportunities in the longer-term;
Floating Offshore Wind development in the Celtic Sea. RWE is seeking to build Giga-Watt scale floating wind in the Celtic Sea and has signed MoU’s with ABP Port Talbot and the Port of Milford Haven to support this initiative.
To complement these decarbonisation ambitions RWE is also exploring large scale deployment of battery storage technology at the Pembroke site.
The Minister was taken on a tour of the site and shown the existing power station and the location of potential future infrastructure including a hydrogen electrolyser and battery storage. Skilled staff from the site were on hand to explain how the existing power plant, which generates enough power for 3.5m homes, operates.
The team also discussed with the Minister how the deployment of net zero technology at Pembroke Net Zero Centre will help unlock the route to Net Zero in South Wales, and help support the future of existing industries, businesses and jobs. This initiative, as part of the South Wales Industrial Cluster, will attract new industries and businesses, further developing the production and use of hydrogen for industrial usage, power generation and transport across the region. At the same time, in close collaboration with its partners, this initiative supports the development of infrastructure to transport hydrogen and carbon (CO2), e.g., by pipeline or by ship, necessary to decarbonise the UK’s 2nd largest industrial cluster.
Tom Glover said, ”We are delighted that the Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething had the opportunity to meet our team at Pembroke. The site is unique with all elements to become a hub for decarbonisation, including floating offshore wind accessibility, land for the development of large-scale electrolysers, electricity and gas grid connections and a gas-fired power station providing firm and flexible power. RWE’s investment in decarbonisation has the potential to see our company maintain its position as the green power leader in Wales.”
Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “The Welsh Government wants to see Wales become a global leader in new offshore renewable energy generation. It is not only great for our climate but has the potential to be a gamechanger for our economy, bring quality, skilled jobs to our communities.
“RWE is a leader in the growing renewable energy sector and it will have a crucial role to play in helping us meet our ambitious decarbonisation aspirations. I was delighted to meet the team here at the Pembroke site and hear more about RWE’s plans to use green hydrogen to decarbonise its existing assets.”
Business
Pembrokeshire Celebrates its Tourism Champions at the 2024 Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards
What a night!
Last week Pembrokeshire recognised and celebrated its Tourism Champions at the 2024 Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards, hosted by Jamie Owen and held at Pembrokeshire College. These are businesses and organisations who deliver memorable experiences for visitors to Pembrokeshire throughout the year. Many congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted:
Accessible & Inclusive Award | Winner: Windswept Paddle Ability Water Sports
Runners Up: Blue Horizons CIC Surf Club, Havard Stables
Best Activity, Experience or Tour | Winner: Sweet Home Alpaca
Runners Up: Llyn Llys Y Fran Lake, Pembrokeshire Alpaca Trekking
Best Attraction Award | Winner: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Runners Up: Heatherton World of Activities, Picton Castle Gardens
Best B&B, Inn and Guesthouse | Winner: Elm Grove Country House
Runners Up: Roch Castle, Penrhiw Priory
Best Camping & Glamping Award | Winner: Florence Springs Glamping and Camping Village
Runners Up: Beavers Retreat Glamping, Nights Under Canvas
Best Caravan Park | Winner: Trees Caravan Park
Runners Up: Redford Caravan Park Ltd, Lawrenny Quay Holiday Park
Best Dog Friendly Award | Winner: The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery
Runners Up: Sleekstone Holidays, Cwm Connell Coastal Cottages
Best Event Award | Winner: 4theRegion
Runners Up: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
Best Place to Eat Award | Winner: Fernery Restaurant
Runners Up: The Really Wild Emporium, Blas Restaurant
Best Self-Catering 1-3 Units | Winner: Sleekstone Holidays
Runners Up: Manorbier Castle – Self-let Accommodations, Dyffryn Conin Farm Holiday-Let, Preseli Hills Cottages
Best Self-Catering 4+ Units | Winner: Bluestone National Park Resort
Runners Up: Musselwick Farm Cottages, Florence Springs Luxury Lodges
Bro a Byd (Environmental & Sustainable) Award | Winner: The Really Wild Emporium
Runners Up: Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Best Hotel Award | Winner: Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront
Runners Up: Grove of Narberth, Twr y Felin Hotel
Pub of the Year Award | Winner: The Wolfe Inn Wolfscastle
Runners Up: The Cove Bar & Restaurant, Ferry Inn
Rising star Award | Winner: Charly Dix, Lan y Mor Restaurant
Sustainable & Immersive Experience for Cruise Passengers Award | Winner:
Fishguard Bay Welcome
Tourism Service/Product Supplier Award | Winner: The Really Wild Emporium
Runners Up: The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery, St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery
Emma Thornton CEO of Visit Pembrokeshire commented: “This event was a result of an exciting partnership between Visit Pembrokeshire, the Seren collection and Pembrokeshire College who worked together to deliver an exceptional experience for our guests serving a delicious 3 course meal featuring locally sourced Pembrokeshire produce. This was partnership working at its best. A big thank you to all our Category sponsors and supporters without whom this event would not have been possible.”
The winners will now go forward to the Southwest Regional Awards later this year, followed by the National Visit Wales Awards in Spring 2025.
To see highlights from the event visit https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/croeso-awards/gallery-2024/
News
Shakespeare’s Globe presents Othello on the Torch Theatre Screen
CELEBRATED by many, Othello has risen through the ranks of the Met police. But can his hard-won reputation, his marriage to his new wife Desdemona, and his own subconscious survive the toxic systems that surround him? Answers to these questions can be discovered at the Torch Theatre on Tuesday 12 November as the critically-acclaimed Shakespeare’s Globe production of Othello is brought to the Torch Theatre cinema screen.
Sixteenth-century Venice becomes modern-day London’s Docklands, as the Moorish general Othello grapples with many of the same issues that successful Black people have faced for centuries.
Experience Shakespeare’s confronting look at the destructive impact of institutional racism, toxicmasculinity, and a justice system locked in a vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecy, set within a hostile modern police force.
In her review in the Guardian, Arifa Akbar awards the drama four stars.
She noted: “There is great musicality too, with songs and a score that is jazzy at times, foreboding at others. Ultimately, the concepts lead to a surfeit of ideas, pushing against each other. At over three hours, the tension drops, although the play never loses its potency and offers a genuinely new, exciting experience.”
Director Ola Ince debuted in the intimate, candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with this ‘inspired’ (The Guardian), and ‘profound’ (Evening Standard) and ‘masterfully redefined’ (West End Best Friend) take on Shakespeare’s blistering tragedy.
Cinema audiences will also be treated to bonus content with a behind-the-scenes interviews and a Globe Theatre tour (during intermission).
Othello will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Tuesday 12 November at 7pm. Ticket prices: Full: £15.00. Concessions: £13.00 and U26: £8.50.To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.
News
Large fire at Bramble Hall Farm – Arson suspected
FIREFIGHTERS have brought a large blaze under control at Bramble Hall Farm in Pembroke Dock.
The fire broke out in a portacabin filled with tyres and scrap materials late on Tuesday night (Nov 5).
The alarm was raised at 11:34pm by the farm owner, who reported being woken by loud bangs.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock Fire Stations were dispatched to the scene.
On arrival, firefighters found a shipping container with mixed scrap and around 100 tyres fully alight. The crews used four breathing apparatus sets, a ground monitor, a 45mm jet, two hose reel jets, and a water bowser to tackle the fire.
The blaze was fully extinguished by 5:07am on Wednesday morning (Nov 6), after crews worked through the night to contain the flames and dampen down remaining hotspots.
A local resident, Sean Burns, who was present at the scene, suspects the fire may have been started deliberately and has provided information to authorities, who are investigating the cause.
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