Second round of Crown Estate accelerator backs Welsh innovation as Celtic Sea sector gathers pace

PEMBROKESHIRE has secured a key share of a new £13 million investment aimed at accelerating the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, with Ledwood Engineering in Pembroke Dock named among the successful projects backed by The Crown Estate.

The announcement comes as the UK marks 25 years since its first offshore wind turbines were installed off Blyth, celebrating a sector that now employs 40,000 people and generates nearly a fifth of the nation’s electricity.

Funding to drive growth in the Celtic Sea

Sixteen projects across England, Wales and Scotland will share the funding, with Pembrokeshire’s role in the expanding Celtic Sea floating wind sector highlighted by both UK and Welsh Ministers.

Ledwood Engineering’s project — focused on automated mooring systems — is one of several Welsh schemes selected, alongside work by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and a floating construction station at Port Talbot.

The Crown Estate says the accelerator programme is designed to de-risk early-stage supply chain development, helping UK companies get to the point where they can attract major investment and support the infrastructure needed for construction, manufacturing, assembly and maintenance of offshore wind projects.

This latest funding round is nearly three times larger than the first award last year. If the projects progress to full build-out, they could unlock £2.2 billion of capital investment and create around 3,000 skilled jobs.

Pembrokeshire’s critical role

The Welsh Government says today’s announcement demonstrates that Wales is “building the infrastructure and expertise to lead the floating wind revolution” — with Pembrokeshire a key strategic location because of its deep-water port, skilled energy workforce and proximity to Celtic Sea development zones.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said:
“This funding is a significant vote of confidence in Wales’ offshore wind capabilities. From Ledwood Engineering’s work in Pembroke Dock to projects testing new technologies for the Celtic Sea, these developments will create high-quality jobs, deliver clean energy and strengthen our coastal communities for generations to come.”

The Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
“The development of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea presents huge opportunities for Wales… creating thousands of well-paid skilled jobs. The UK Government is working with partners to develop home-grown clean energy which will secure our supply, reduce bills and help achieve net zero.”

Industry reaction

Julia Rose, Head of Offshore Wind at The Crown Estate, said the accelerator is helping early-stage projects reach the point where they can secure long-term investment.

“These innovative businesses will help us move closer towards our clean power and energy security goals. Supporting the onshore supply chain is essential if the UK is to keep pace with the scale of offshore development planned for the next 25 years.”

RenewableUK’s Head of Supply Chain Ajai Ahluwalia added that focusing on high-value components for offshore wind could triple the UK’s current manufacturing capacity and boost the UK economy by £25 billion by 2035.

What it means for Pembrokeshire

With major developments planned in the Celtic Sea, including floating offshore wind farms capable of powering millions of homes, today’s announcement strengthens Pembrokeshire’s position as:

• A manufacturing and engineering hub for large-scale renewable infrastructure
• A potential operations and maintenance base for future wind farms
• A region that could benefit from substantial job creation in the energy transition

The Herald understands that further announcements linked to port upgrades, fabrication facilities and construction-stage investment may follow as the Celtic Sea programme advances.

A CONSERVATIVE call to abolish rates for all small businesses in Wales has been voted down by the Senedd amid warnings the tax burden is “hollowing out” high streets.

Tory Senedd Members urged the Welsh Government to scrap business rates entirely for the smallest businesses to give them “breathing space” amid a record wave of closures.

Samuel Kurtz claimed Wales has the “least competitive” business rates in Britain coupled with the highest unemployment in the UK and the lowest take-home pay.

“This is not the framework of a thriving economy,” he said, warning of an “economic doom loop” following November’s UK autumn budget.

Mr Kurtz, the Conservatives’ shadow economy secretary, told the Senedd high streets will be “hollowed out” and communities “left poorer” without radical reform.

Leading the debate on Wednesday December 10, Mr Kurtz described a business rates revaluation as the “final blow” for many businesses.

“Countless small firms have seen their valuations double, triple or even quadruple,” he said. “One business owner told me recently that her monthly bill will rise by £8,000 – eight grand. For a small business, that’s completely unsustainable and untenable.”

Luke Fletcher, Plaid Cymru’s shadow economy secretary, welcomed the introduction of differential multipliers – a key determinant of bills – for high-street shops in Wales.

But he criticised the Welsh Government for excluding the hospitality industry from the lower rate multiplier, costing the typical pub an extra £6,800 a year.

“To not include hospitality… was a massive misstep by the government,” he said.

Rhys ab Owen, an independent, pointed out that Wales has had the highest percentage of small businesses closing since 2020 as he called for a VAT cut for hospitality businesses.

Conservative Joel James warned high streets are in a perilous state, with the Labour UK Government’s increase in employers’ national insurance “killing businesses”.

His colleague Gareth Davies painted a bleak picture of a “decimated” hospitality sector, warning a pub closes every day. He suggested small businesses are being “suffocated” by “punishing” policies at both ends of the M4.

Responding to the debate, Rebecca Evans defended the Welsh Government’s record, arguing the economic environment has improved despite challenges such as inflation.

Wales’ economy secretary pointed to existing support which she said protects thousands of small businesses from bigger bills.

She told Senedd Members: “Our small business rates relief scheme provides over £140m of relief annually to around 70,000 properties across Wales, with over 50,000 of these receiving 100% relief and paying nothing at all.”

The Tory motion, which also called for free parking in town centres and the reversal of tourism tax plans, was voted down 34-12 with one abstention. Labour and Plaid Cymru amendments were also rejected as Senedd Members failed to reach any agreement.

A CALL for works at what is said to be one of the oldest independent museums in Wales has been approved by Pembrokeshire’s national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Rob Davies sought permission for the replacement of existing single-glazed timber sash to windows to south and east elevations with replica double glazed units at Grade-II-listed Tenby Museum & Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Tenby.

A supporting statement said: “The museum building is in the former National School, built into a medieval domestic building, possibly the hall, depicted as roofless and gable ended in early views. The school was founded in 1832 and enlarged in 1842. The girl’s schoolroom was above, the boys below. It remained in use until the Parochial School was opened in 1874, and the building became the museum in 1878.

“A mural mosaic depicting the history of Tenby was located on the east elevation in 1991. The 1977 listing refers to two round chimneys to the rear, however, only one was located in 2001.  Two ranges exist, the original museum adapted from a medieval building used as the National School until 1874 and the former Museum Cottage to the west, now also part of the museum.”

Heritage service Cadw, in its response, lists the museum as “among the early museums in Wales,” while a Wikipedia entry says it is “the oldest independent museum in Wales”.

The application was supported by Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society.

An officer report recommending approval said: “No adverse comments have been received from consultees towards the current proposal, and no third-party representations raising issues relating to listed building matters have been received.

“The proposed scheme is in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form. As such, the application can be supported subject to conditions.”