Business
Marine Energy Wales and Morlais sign deal to accelerate Marine Energy Sector growth
IN A SIGNIFICANT move aimed at boosting the marine energy sector, Marine Energy Wales and Morlais joined forces today in North Wales, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance their collaborative efforts.
Marine Energy Wales, an initiative that supports the growth of the marine renewable energy sector in Wales and manager of the £2.7 million Marine Energy Test Area (META) project, and Morlais, the 240MW consented tidal stream energy project off the coast of Anglesey , have joined forces to put Wales at the heart of a fast-growing global marine energy sector.
Their common interest in the development of marine renewable energy resources and industrial capability, specifically tidal stream energy in Welsh waters, is the driving force behind this collaboration. The partnership aims to address common challenges, encourage business and research collaboration, as well as exchange knowledge and best practices, further positioning Wales at the forefront of the international marine energy industry.
“Morlais is a nationally important project that will enable crucial development of tidal stream technology and get marine renewable electricity flowing into the Welsh grid. Marine Energy Wales are proud to support the project, and signing this memorandum of understanding today will allow us to share everything we have learned setting up META (Marine Energy Test Area) and solidify the Welsh test centre network for developing innovation through to commercialisation.” said Tom Hill, Programme Manager at Marine Energy Wales.
Key areas of collaboration include promoting capability and skills development, addressing key issues in port infrastructure, grid investment and funding, and fostering closer ties with regional stakeholders. Both parties will also explore ways to utilise energy resources in the regions, streamline planning processes, and attract inward investment.
A host of deliverables have been agreed upon, including providing Morlais with contractual support and workshops from META, signposting to META facility for technologies unready for deployment at Morlais, sharing environmental monitoring information, and promoting each other on their respective digital channels.
Gerallt Llewelyn Jones, Senior Responsible Officer at Morlais said: “In combining our strengths and expertise, Marine Energy Wales and Morlais are forging a strong alliance to drive the marine energy sector forward. The partnership reinforces our commitment to sustainable development but also positions Wales as leader in marine renewables. Together, we can work to overcome the challenges and create opportunities which will not only benefit Welsh communities but also help mitigate climate change.”
With work on landfall infrastructure and cabling now nearing completion, the first devices under the Morlais project are set to be deployed in 2026.
Business
Paul Butterworth appointed Vice Chair of Regional Learning and Skills Partnership
Paul Butterworth, the CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, has been appointed as the new Vice Chair of the Regional Learning and Skills Partnership (RLSP) for south-west Wales.
Covering Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea, the RLSP is dedicated to bridging the gap between education, skills, and regeneration. It aims to ensure that the skills provision is aligned with the economic priorities and opportunities of the region, as well as tackling the new skills landscape that is happening within the energy, construction, manufacturing and digital sectors.
As CEO of Chambers Wales, Paul brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the economic and skills development of Welsh businesses with him to the board.
As the voice of the business community with policymakers, Paul will advocate for enhanced skills training, infrastructure improvements and the creation of skilled jobs, all aimed at creating local economic growth.
Upon his appointment, Paul said: “I am determined to create a better and fairer business landscape for West Wales to ensure that the local economy has the best available skills development for future project development and the transition into the green economy and energy sector to ensure West Wales thrives.”
Jane Lewis, Regional Partnerships Manager at RLSP, said: “We are delighted to have Paul on the board. He will be instrumental in achieving our goals and look forward to the positive impact his appointment will have on the region.”
Business
Expansion for Ashmole & Co with acquisition of Jones Ward Accountants
CHARTERED, Certified Accountants, Ashmole & Co, are delighted to announce their expansion following the acquisition of JonesWard accountancy firm in Carmarthen.
Ashmole & Co Carmarthen has today taken over JonesWard who have closed their office in Lammas Street, Carmarthen. All JonesWard staff, including Ian Jones and James Ward, have transferred over to Ashmole & Co and will be based in the Old School, the Quay, Carmarthen.
JonesWard informed their clients that the administrative burden of running a practice had increased significantly over recent years due to the constant changing money laundering and tax regulations, software requirements and so on. Over the past 12 months it had become more challenging to maintain the level of service they had been used to providing.
Ian Jones said, “We feel Ashmole & Co share the same values as us and have the necessary expertise and resources to ensure we can continue to provide the personal touch and level of service clients have been accustomed to. Myself and James are not retiring but we will be supported by Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff from now on in their Carmarthen office.”
Ashmole & Co partners Sharon George, Carwyn Morgan and Vinal Patel will strive to ensure JonesWard clients will continue to receive the high quality of service they are used to.
Vinal Patel, Partner with Ashmole & Co said, “It is our priority to make the transition as smooth as possible with all employees of JonesWard having already transferred to Ashmole & Co and are now based in our office on the Quay in Carmarthen. We look forward to meeting our new clients and working closely with them to meet their needs in the future.”
Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancies and auditing practices in south Wales, now operating from thirteen offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford.
Business
Dragon LNG explores integration of LNG and CO2 liquefaction processes
DRAGON LNG, based in Waterston, Milford Haven, recently announced a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions.
The company awarded a contract to Worley, global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study.
The study is focussing on exploring the potential benefits of integrating LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
regasification and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) liquefaction processes at Dragon LNG’s facilities. This integration holds promise for a more efficient operation, with the potential to reduce energy consumption, carbon intensity and the levelized cost of CO2 export not only at the Dragon site but also for Haven industry companies.
If feasible, the technology at Dragon would support wider collaboration with RWE Pembroke Net Zero Centre, whose CO2 would be transported to the Dragon facility for processing before being shipped via non-pipeline transport (NPT) to carbon sequestration sites.
Key aspects to be addressed in the feasibility study include:
- Technical Solutions: Worley will evaluate various technical approaches to seamlessly integrate LNG and
- CO2 liquefaction processes, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and effectiveness.
- Carbon Intensity Reduction: Dragon LNG is committed to sustainability, and the study will assess how the integration of processes can contribute to lowering the carbon intensity of operations, aligning with broader environmental goals.
- Economic Viability: Understanding the financial implications is crucial. The study will delve into the levelized cost of CO2 and other economic factors to determine the feasibility and financial benefits of the proposed integration.
Commenting on the partnership, a spokesperson for Dragon LNG stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Worley on this important initiative. As a responsible energy provider, Dragon LNG is continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance our operations while minimizing our environmental footprint. This feasibility study represents a significant step towards achieving those objectives.”
Worley’s expertise in engineering and consultancy services including in the CO2 and LNG sectors makes them an ideal partner for this endeavour. Their track record of delivering sustainability solutions aligns perfectly with the ambitious goals of Dragon LNG.
This collaboration underscores Dragon LNG’s commitment to driving sustainable practices within the energy sector. By exploring the integration of LNG regasification and CO2 liquefaction processes, the company aims to pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy future with their ambition of a net zero terminal by 2029.
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