News

Campaign group CPRW welcome for Project Erebus windfarm

Published

3 years ago

March 22, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

RURAL campaign group CPRW has welcomed the recent consent for Wales’ first floating windfarm, located just over 40km off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

The Welsh Government recently granted consent for Project Erebus, which will house seven next-generation 14 megawatt turbines on floating platforms, providing enough low carbon energy to power 93,000 homes.

Erebus is part of the first phase of a four-gigawatt renewable energy development in the Celtic Sea, enough power for 4m homes.

Future phases of the development could realise an additional 20 gigawatts of renewable energy, which will transform the way we power our homes and businesses.

Chair of Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales Pembrokeshire Branch, Mary Sinclair, has applauded the recent consent for the 100MW project Erebus.

She describes it as “a breakthrough for future renewable windpower generation on a vast scale to help combat climate change”.

Mrs Sinclair argues that this should reduce the need for huge land-based wind farms, and with power distributed by sub-sea cables, would also remove the need for industrialised pylon lines “striding across the countryside”.

“CPRW has always had a policy to support offshore wind,” said Mrs Sinclair, “but until now this technology has been slow to advance because it was easier and cheaper to develop rural sites”.

Referring to the recently-refused application for a nearby onshore windfarm, she added: “The recent refusal, after years of campaigning by CPRW and others, of the Rhoscrowther windfarm on the Angle Peninsula, also marks a realisation that our cherished and designated landscapes need no longer be threatened.”

Blue Gem Wind, the joint venture between TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Group, is currently on target to begin operating the 100MW Erebus project in 2026.

After consent was granted, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We are ambitious for the floating offshore wind sector in Wales – we believe it has the potential to deliver sustainable sources of energy into the future and it is also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to open up new markets for local suppliers and to create thousands of high-quality jobs in Wales.

“The Erebus project has the potential to show the world that Wales and the Celtic Sea can deliver renewable energy alongside the sustainable management of our marine resources.”

Welcoming the consents, Mike Scott, project managing director at Blue Gem Wind, said: “Erebus, which will be the first floating wind farm in Wales, will play a crucial role in advancing the deployment of what will become a globally important low carbon technology.”

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

10 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

10 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

10 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.