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.

Final services mark the end of an era for West Wales rail passengers

THE LAST remaining Intercity 125 High Speed Trains on the Great Western network will make their final scheduled journeys this Saturday (Dec 13), bringing to a close nearly 50 years of service on routes across Wales and the West Country.

Great Western Railway confirmed that its refurbished “Castle Class” sets – shortened HST formations powered by the iconic Class 43 locomotives – will be withdrawn from passenger use after this weekend. The trains, first introduced in 1976, were once the backbone of long-distance travel between West Wales and London Paddington, including the direct Milford Haven–Paddington service used by generations of students and commuters.

Although the Castle sets stopped operating long-distance routes in 2019, they continued to run regional services between Cardiff and Penzance, and were a familiar sight in Pembrokeshire during summer diagrams. Until a few years ago, it was still possible to see a 125 working into Pembroke Dock on weekend services.

To manage expected public interest, GWR will operate an additional farewell round-trip on Saturday, leaving Plymouth at 3.16pm, running to Penzance (calling only at Par), before returning at 5.32pm.

GWR said the trains will be replaced by its existing diesel fleet alongside 26 recommissioned Class 175s, which will roll out gradually during 2026.

The retirement brings a wave of nostalgia for many West Wales passengers who remember the era when a full-length 125 left Milford Haven each morning bound for London. The distinctive Valenta engine note, table seating, and early laptop users powering their machines from the staff hoover socket made the service part of local student life in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Saturday’s farewell run will mark the final chapter for a train that transformed long-distance travel and, for nearly half a century, connected Pembrokeshire to the capital at high speed.

If you’d like, we can add a nostalgia breakout box revisiting the Milford Haven–Paddington days, the Red Dragon breakfast service, and the 125 summers on the Pembroke Dock branch.

New Cabinet confirmed following Full Council meeting

COUNCILLOR Linda Evans has been appointed Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council and Chair of the Cabinet following a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday (Dec 10).

A long-serving Plaid Cymru councillor for the Llanfihangel-ar-Arth ward, Cllr Evans has served on the authority since 2008 and has been a Cabinet Member since 2015.

Her appointment was formally confirmed during the meeting, where she also announced her Cabinet team — a 10-member executive responsible for the council’s overall business. The Cabinet meets fortnightly to make key decisions and recommendations to Full Council and, in some cases, decisions can be taken individually by Cabinet Members.

All members of the previous administration have retained their roles, with one change: Cllr Emlyn Schiavone joins the Cabinet as the new Cabinet Member for Homes.

The full Cabinet is as follows:

• Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism: Cllr Hazel Evans
• Cabinet Member for Education: Cllr Glynog Davies
• Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Communities and Welsh Language: Cllr Carys Jones
• Cabinet Member for Organisation and Workforce: Cllr Philip Hughes
• Cabinet Member for Resources: Cllr Alun Lenny
• Cabinet Member for Homes: Cllr Emlyn Schiavone
• Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services: Cllr Edward Thomas
• Cabinet Member for Integrated Health and Children and Adult Social Services: Cllr Jane Tremlett
• Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability: Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen
• Leader of the Council: Cllr Linda Evans

Speaking after her appointment, Cllr Evans said:
“It’s an honour to be elected as Council Leader and I look forward to working with the Cabinet and all members across the chamber for the benefit of the residents of Carmarthenshire.”