A VISIT by a senior UK Government figure last week saw industry leaders highlight the crucial role of the Milford Haven Waterway in delivering energy, supporting jobs, and driving economic growth across the UK.

The representative met with members of the Milford Haven Energy Cluster – a partnership of key local and national stakeholders – to discuss the region’s contribution to both current energy security and future net zero ambitions.

Milford Haven is the UK’s largest energy port and handles around 20% of the country’s energy needs. It is home to major infrastructure including LNG terminals, a refinery, and a gas-fired power station, and is at the forefront of developing new clean energy projects such as floating offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture.

Industry leaders stressed the need for long-term investment in port infrastructure, grid connectivity, and workforce skills to ensure the region can meet its full potential in supporting the UK’s green energy transition.

A spokesperson for the Milford Haven Energy Cluster said: “We were pleased to showcase how Pembrokeshire is positioned to lead the UK’s clean energy future. The commitment and collaboration here is real – but we need the right policy frameworks and investment to unlock our potential.”

The Herald understands the visit was part of a broader series of stakeholder engagements by national policymakers and officials to assess the UK’s evolving energy landscape.

FIVE years of practical innovation at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru has helped improve Welsh manufacturing, with businesses learning to work smarter, reduce waste and create better products.

Since first opening its doors, the £20m Welsh Government funded research centre in Broughton has helped more than 100 Welsh businesses make products better, faster and greener, while running more than twenty programmes showing manufacturing companies how to improve productivity and cut energy use. Shortly after opening, AMRC Cymru, part of the University of Sheffield, proved invaluable by quickly switching to produce life-saving medical ventilators during the Covid-19 pandemic by integrating into Airbus’ mobilisation team.

In partnership with the Welsh Government, the centre delivered the Ffatri 4.0 project, bringing Airbus together with food and drink manufacturers to help factories work smarter, increase productivity and reduce their environmental impact through new technologies. The Pudding Compartment in Flint has seen the benefits of this approach, using sensors to monitor temperatures and energy use, and testing factory layouts digitally, with smarter working resulting in higher output and new customers.

Jason Murphy, Strategy and Commercial director at AMRC Cymru, said: “It has been an exciting five years since Airbus, the University of Sheffield and the Welsh Government entered into an agreement that brought the AMRC to Wales.

“In a new facility on the Airbus site in North Wales, with support from the AMRC, Airbus have been developing advanced wing assembly processes for the next generation of single aisle aircraft – a hugely important program for the UK aerospace sector.

“But the focus for the AMRC in Wales is much broader. Cutting edge capabilities developed in translational research at the AMRC have helped Welsh businesses across sectors, including automotive, renewable energy and food and drink, to develop better products and improve their processes through innovation and technology.

“We look back on the last five years proudly, yet our greatest challenge lies in front of us; over the next ten years our goal is to transform the Welsh economy, working with stakeholders and partners to build a world class manufacturing sector.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “AMRC Cymru has made a huge impact in its first five years. We invested in this centre because we knew it would benefit north Wales, manufacturing and the wider Welsh economy. It has quickly become a vital part of our research network, helping Welsh businesses develop new products and prepare for the future.”

Last month, the AMRC, part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, expanded thanks in part to £1.5m Welsh Government investment in a new digital factory hub at HVM Catapult Baglan in South Wales, helping even more Welsh businesses work efficiently while reducing their environmental impact.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “AMRC Cymru encapsulates what we want for the Welsh economy. By bringing together universities, government and businesses to accelerate innovation, productivity and sustainability, AMRC has created jobs and opportunities across Wales and has already become an important part of a business landscape ripe and ready to attract further investment and drive employment opportunities here.”

Milford Haven among ports shortlisted for turbine assembly as £1.4bn Celtic Sea energy project nears final stage

PEMBROKE PORT in Milford Haven has been named as one of seven key UK locations in the running to support the next generation of floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea – a project that could create more than 5,000 jobs and power over four million homes.

The Crown Estate has confirmed that its Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, which will allocate three large sites in the Celtic Sea for floating offshore wind farms, has now entered its final stage. A competitive auction is expected later this spring, with lease agreements to be signed in the summer.

All shortlisted developers have identified a list of “integration ports” where giant wind turbines – potentially as tall as The Shard in London – will be assembled on floating platforms before being towed out to sea. Among the ports named are Pembroke Port, Swansea, Port Talbot, and others across the South West of England and Brittany.

The announcement signals a major opportunity for Pembrokeshire, with Milford Haven’s port infrastructure well-placed to become a hub for renewable energy development.

In March 2024, the Welsh Government provided £1 million in funding to support ground investigation works at Pembroke Port, aimed at accelerating the site’s readiness to host floating wind turbine assembly and deployment. The funding, which was matched by the Port of Milford Haven, marked a major step toward preparing Pembrokeshire for large-scale offshore energy infrastructure. The port’s early involvement in this sector likely strengthened its position in The Crown Estate’s shortlist.

Boost to economy and local jobs

Research by The Crown Estate suggests the wind farm development could deliver a £1.4 billion boost to the UK economy and support at least 5,300 jobs. The winning developers will also work with selected ports to secure long-term investment and regeneration benefits for local communities.

Gus Jaspert, Managing Director of Marine at The Crown Estate, said: “Developing this new technology in the Celtic Sea will open up transformational opportunities for new jobs, investment and growth across Wales, South West England and beyond.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, said: “Today’s announcement shows that Wales is ready to seize the golden opportunity of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, and secure more than 5,000 jobs and billions of pounds of investment this has the potential to bring.”
“Wales will play a key part in delivering clean power as part of our Plan for Change, boosting economic growth, lowering energy bills and putting more pounds in people’s pockets.”

The turbines – set on floating structures the size of football pitches – will be installed in deeper waters further offshore than fixed-bottom wind farms, unlocking new energy potential and minimising coastal impact.

Port plans to follow auction

Detailed discussions between developers and ports, including Pembroke Port, are expected after the auction phase. The Crown Estate is investing in supply chain acceleration and environmental surveys to reduce risk and speed up delivery.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “By unlocking the untapped potential of the Celtic Sea we will reap the benefits of economic growth and thousands of jobs in Wales and the South West, delivering on our Plan for Change.”

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, added:
“Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea will not only advance our clean energy goals but create valuable jobs and investment across Wales’ coastal communities.”

A first step in a larger plan

The three Celtic Sea sites are expected to be the first of many. The Crown Estate’s long-term vision includes leasing up to 12 gigawatts of floating wind capacity in the region by 2030, part of a broader ambition to secure up to 30 gigawatts across UK waters.

As Wales looks to the future, Milford Haven’s strategic location and maritime expertise could make it a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy revolution.

Photo caption:

Future power: Floating wind turbines the height of The Shard could soon be assembled in Milford Haven (Pic: Herald)