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Crabb supports larger turbines sited farther offshore to ‘create more power’

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FLOATING offshore wind could represent the single biggest investment opportunity in Wales for decades, the Welsh Affairs Committee argued this week (Friday, Mar 10), but urgent clarity is needed by the UK Government to turbo-charge efforts.

The Crown Estate has said that there is scope for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea to generate 20GW of energy by being situated further offshore. If its full potential is realised, the Committee argues that floating offshore wind farms could create thousands of high-quality, long-term jobs and give Wales the ‘first-mover’ advantage. However, developers and port operators told the Committee that a lack of long-term targets and a clear pipeline of projects to unlock investment are stifling progress. The UK Government must urgently address this, and steps must be taken to ensure consenting bodies are adequately staffed and resourced to take on the anticipated increase in demand.

In October 2022, the Committee published its report considering grid capacity, and argued that network constraints hold back green energy projects in Wales. The setting of long-term targets and a roadmap of delivery would also benefit National Grid ESO in planning network upgrades.

Local supply chains in Wales must benefit from the manufacture and installation of floating offshore wind, and their involvement must be prioritised over international competitors. The Committee argues that local supply chains did not benefit from the rollout of conventional, fixed-bottom offshore wind as much as they could have, with major fabrication and installation work undertaken overseas. The Committee is determined that this is not repeated as the potential for wealth and job creation in Wales is too great an opportunity to miss.

While the Crown Estate requires developers to provide supply chain investment plans as part of their bid for a lease, a mechanism is needed to hold developers to account on delivery of these plans. Similarly, the Committee is calling on the UK Government to reform future Contracts for Difference auctions for floating offshore wind to include enforceable local content requirements.

Ultimately, the Committee believes the successful delivery of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea will require coordination between the UK and Welsh Government, public bodies and industry in a number of interdependent policy areas. Only then can Wales capitalise on the enormous potential floating offshore wind represents to the nation.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP and Welsh Affairs Committee Chair, Stephen Crabb, said: “New floating offshore wind technology will open up the deep waters of the Celtic Sea to the green energy revolution. Larger turbines sited farther offshore than traditional turbines will harness the stronger winds to deliver greater power generation.”

“Wales will have a key role in helping the UK to reach its target of 5GW of floating offshore wind by 2030. Our Committee was told that floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea could bring £20 billion of direct investment into the domestic market. Some of the world’s largest energy companies are already drawing up Celtic Sea investment plans.

“The challenge is to ensure that floating offshore wind creates real long-term economic value for Wales. Ports like Milford Haven and Port Talbot are ideally situated to become hubs for manufacturing and operations, and firms like Tata Steel could form part of a strong Welsh supply chain. Achieving this will require a clear strategy from Government and the Crown Estate to prioritise domestic content and ensure developers meet their commitments.

“Floating offshore wind represents a once-in-a-generation industrial opportunity for Wales – we cannot afford to let this pass us by.”

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Business

Ocky White Travel marks 60th anniversary with luxury cruise giveaway

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IN a grand gesture commemorating six decades of unparalleled service in the travel industry, Pembrokeshire’s venerated independent travel agency, Ocky White Travel, has announced an extraordinary giveaway—a luxury cruise for two, in partnership with Pure West Radio.

Established 60 years ago, Ocky White Travel has become a staple in the lives of Pembrokeshire residents, offering dream holidays and contributing significantly to the local economy. Despite the fluctuating fortunes of neighbouring businesses and the often harsh realities of the travel sector, Ocky White Travel has stood firm, a testament to its resilience and commitment to customer satisfaction.

This resilience was further demonstrated when, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic—a period that saw many in the industry falter—Ocky White Travel not only survived but thrived by expanding its operations to include Sam Smith Travel in Cowbridge. This expansion has allowed the agency to extend its exceptional service to a broader audience across South Wales.

Celebrating this milestone, Ocky White Travel has engaged in a comprehensive multi-media campaign, underscored by its official sponsorship of the PWR Daytime Show. A central highlight of this celebration is a tiered competition, offering participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a luxury Nordic cruise for two. The competition, which has garnered thousands of entries since its launch on 21st February, underscores the agency’s dedication to rewarding its loyal clientele.

Mark White, Owner and Managing Director of Ocky White Travel, expressed immense pride in reaching this significant milestone. He emphasised the agency’s unique position in the hearts of many families across generations, attributing this success to the personalised service and deep understanding of client needs that have become the hallmark of Ocky White Travel.

Echoing this sentiment, Toby Ellis of Pure West Radio highlighted the positive impact of the partnership on local residents. He praised Ocky White Travel for its hands-on approach and the invaluable advice provided by its seasoned staff. The giveaway, featuring a 7-night cruise to the Norwegian Fjords, stands as the most significant prize offered by the radio station, symbolising a “holiday of a lifetime.”

Entries for this historic giveaway will remain open until 31st March, with the lucky winners to be announced on Pure West Radio’s Daytime Show. This event not only celebrates Ocky White Travel’s 60 years of service but also its enduring commitment to creating unforgettable holiday experiences for its customers.

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Pembrokeshire pub director fined for accounting offences

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AT Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, Kathleen Waters, the Director of the Jeffreyston-based pub business KDW Inns Limited, has been found guilty of multiple accounting offences. The 60-year-old from The Jeffreyston Inn, Jeffreyston, was previously fined in June for failing to submit the required accounts to Companies House.

On March 21, Waters faced three separate offences related to accounting malpractices following her previous conviction. The court heard that she failed to deliver essential documents for KDW Inns Limited’s accounts for the period ending August 31, 2021. Additionally, Waters was accused of not submitting the financial statements for the year ending August 31, 2022, a requirement for all companies operating within the UK.

The charges did not stop there. Waters was also found guilty of failing to deliver a confirmation statement within 14 days after a review period, an essential requirement for maintaining the legal status of a business in the UK.

Pleading guilty to all charges, Waters was fined a total of £775. Furthermore, she has been ordered to pay a £310 surcharge along with £75 in court costs. This case highlights the legal responsibilities of company directors in maintaining accurate and timely financial records, a cornerstone of corporate governance and transparency.

The conviction of Waters serves as a reminder to all business owners and directors of the importance of adhering to financial regulations and statutory requirements.

  • The Pembrokeshire Herald remains committed to bringing its readers up-to-date reports on significant legal proceedings affecting the local business community.
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Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm’s sales boost following feature on ITV

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  • Wales-based Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm featured on Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen earlier this month
  • The chilli sauce company has since experienced a remarkable increase in consumer interest, witnessing a 165% increase in sales year-on-year in the weeks after the programme aired
  • The episode focused on the farm’s sustainable growing practices that ensure all products are made locally in Wales

THE TEAM at www.pembrokeshirechillifarm.com, renowned for its fiery range of chilli-based products, have experienced a significant surge in sales and enquiries.

The upturn is following an appearance on Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen on March 9. This surge underscores the farm’s expanding influence in the hot sauce market and its dedication to high-quality, locally produced ingredients.

In the weeks after being featured on Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen, a weekly cooking program that shines a light on the finest British ingredients, the Welsh business has reported a 165% increase in online sales for their hot sauces compared to the same period the previous year. Furthermore, the business has received a notable 64% increase in wholesale requests from gourmet food retailers compared to the same period in 2023.

Beyond these impressive figures, the farm also saw a 75% rise in social media engagement, with new followers and interactions highlighting a growing community of chilli sauce enthusiasts eager to learn more about their products and the ways in which they can spice up their own dishes at home, from the comfort of their own kitchen.

Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm was launched by husband-and-wife duo Owen and Michelle Rosser back in 2017, following the pair realising there was a big market for chilli-based sauced and products after growing their own chillies in their own back garden. The business now produces more than 10,000kgs of chillies each year and grows crops specifically for wholesale customers and other commercial food producers.

The couple also own Welsh Sauce Kitchen, an alternative sauce brand that offers a range of non-chilli-infused kitchen condiments and products. In 2023, they released their very own Black Garlic Ketchup made from fermented black garlic, a sauce that takes more than 12 days to create due to the black garlic needing to ferment for 288 hours. More than 250 bottles were made in the first batch, which sold out within the initial 24 hours of launching.

Michelle Rosser, co-founder and Managing Director told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Being part of Pure Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen was an incredible opportunity for us; to share our love for chillies with a well-known household name, as well as with a wider audience who have a love for all things food. We were thrilled to showcase our farm and products, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The numbers speak for themselves – they’re a true testament to the high-quality products we produce from our home-grown chillies.”

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