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Climate

Council’s deputy leader to outline green vision for west Wales

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WITH just over a week to go before the inaugural Green Economy Conference takes place at Swansea Arena, council leaders from across South West Wales have announced the topics they will be addressing in the opening session.

Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, Cllr Paul Miller, will be discussing the council’s involvement in clean energy transition projects and the development of the South West Wales Regional Energy Strategy.

Cllr Paul Miller said: “The Green Economy Conference is an important opportunity to discuss how we can create a more sustainable and equitable future.

“I am deeply committed to supporting the development of a green, circular, and sustainable economy for South West Wales. This is essential for protecting our environment, but also for creating a prosperous and fair future for our communities.

“This event provides a key opportunity to consider the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a clean energy economy – to ensure a sustainable future for our planet and generations to come.”

He added that the Council’s strategic priorities reflect this commitment to sustainability, with a focus on promoting renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable businesses.

“We are engaged in a number of key regional clean energy transition projects including Milford Haven : Energy Kingdom (MH:EK), South Wales Industrial Cluster, Net Zero Industry Wales, Haven Waterway Future Energy Cluster, and the Celtic Freeport,” he continued.

“As we transition to a clean energy economy, we will create jobs while protecting the environment.

“Local government has a vital role to play by investing in renewable energy and promoting energy efficiency. In addition, we can also create new policies and regulations that encourage businesses and individuals to adopt green practices.

“I am proud of the great initiatives taking place locally to help deliver a thriving green economy.”

The Council’s commitment to decarbonisation led it to develop a Local Area Energy Plan seeking to develop a net zero energy system for Pembrokeshire by 2050, as the UK home of green energy.

Cllr Miller added that Pembrokeshire County Council’s engagement in the development of the South West Wales Regional Energy Strategy – looking at harnessing the region’s low carbon energy potential both on and offshore – is another important undertaking.

“This will deliver a prosperous and equitable net zero carbon economy which enhances the well-being of future generations and the region’s ecosystems, at a pace which delivers against regional and national emissions reduction targets by 2035 and 2050,” he said.

He added that he is pleased to be joining leaders from the other county councils in the region to discuss developments and initiatives across the whole of South West Wales.

“This event, with its exhibitors, innovative projects and keynote speakers, is the perfect platform to showcase our collective drive for a resilient, sustainable future for the region,” he said.

Also speaking in the opening session are Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, Neath Port Talbot CBC; Cllr Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council; and Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, decarbonisation and sustainable development for Carmarthenshire County Council, who will highlight the crucial role the green economy plays in addressing the environmental challenges and fostering sustainability.

His address will showcase the power of collaborative working across the public private and third sector taking place across the region to realise opportunities within the green economy sector and inspire the next generation.

The Green Economy Conference and Exhibition is free to attend, with tickets available online now. It will be held at Swansea Arena on Wednesday, November 22, and aims to unite businesses and organisations from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot to share knowledge and create initiatives for a resilient future.

Zoe Antrobus, co-founder and managing director of 4theRegion, which organises the conference said:

“We’re delighted to welcome so much knowledge and expertise to the stage in Swansea Arena on November 22. The fact that key leaders from all the region’s county councils welcomed our invitation to speak at the opening session highlights how seriously our local authorities take the challenges and opportunities we all face when seeking to tackle the climate crisis.

“Whether you are a business owner keen to harness the environmental and business benefits of decarbonisation, a member of the public who wants to get their voice heard, or an ambassador for one of the numerous organisations working hard to ensure the wellbeing of our future generations, this conference is for you. Expect to be challenged, inspired, connected and informed.”

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Climate

Blue Gem Wind shares wind speed data with Wales’ Marine Energy Test Area

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BLUE GEM WIND, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Group, have shared important wind speed data with Wales’ Marine Energy Test Area (META).

The data was collected as part of the development of the Erebus floating wind project, which is planned to be built approximately 45km off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

Mike Scott, Project Managing Director at Blue Gem Wind, said: “We installed a met mast on the Angle Peninsula in early 2021 to understand wind speed and other weather-related data for the development of our Erebus floating wind project. Working with Marine Energy Wales we are happy to provide data we have collected to support the ongoing development plans at META .”

META operates eight sites in and around the Milford Haven waterway. It offers testing in real sea conditions for wave, tidal and floating offshore wind technology, alongside world-class port, engineering, and manufacturing facilities.

As the only pre-consented, pre-commercial test facility of its kind in the country, META is dedicated to reducing the time, cost and risks associated with the deployment and commercialisation of marine energy technologies, saving companies valuable time and money.

Saul Young, META Operations Manager said: “We are pleased to be collaborating with Blue Gem Wind and to be sharing data in this way. Not only will it help improve our understanding of conditions at the East Pickard Bay site, but it will also help support the development of the sector by providing technology developers and researchers accurate data with which to plan their innovative projects at META. META has a growing catalogue of data for our various sites, and we are committed to expanding our collection.”

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Climate

Innovative Pembrokeshire net zero project in gains momentum

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IN A GROUNDBREAKING move towards achieving net zero emissions, RWE and Dragon LNG have embarked on a pioneering venture that could reshape the industrial landscape of South Wales. The collaboration aims to develop the Multi-Utility Service Transit (MUST) infrastructure project along the Milford Haven Waterway, a significant stride in the region’s journey towards sustainability.

The MUST project is currently under a feasibility study to determine its potential impact. This visionary project promises numerous environmental benefits, including the complete elimination of CO2 emissions from Dragon LNG’s regasification process. This is achievable through the innovative use of residual process heat from RWE’s Pembroke Power Station generators.

Another significant aspect of the project is establishing a route to export CO2 from a potential carbon capture plant at Pembroke Power Station. Additionally, the project paves the way for developing CO2 liquefaction, storage, and shipping capabilities at Dragon LNG. This will further strengthen the UK’s position in global environmental efforts.

Moreover, the project aims to establish an additional export route for blue and green hydrogen from the south to the north side of the Milford Haven waterway. This would potentially include hydrogen from RWE’s Pembroke Green Hydrogen projects, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy technology.

Beyond environmental benefits, the MUST project offers a unique opportunity for other industries to access crucial infrastructure for broader industrial decarbonisation. This includes supply water, direct wire connections from potential offshore renewables, and other utilities or products.

The South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC) Deployment Project, a flagship collaborative effort, encapsulates the MUST project as a critical component in achieving net zero infrastructure. It has received significant backing from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through its Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge program, assisting in the engineering and design phases.

Dr Bryony Livesey, Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Director for Industrial Decarbonisation, highlighted the project’s importance in achieving the UK’s net zero emissions goal by 2050. She expressed enthusiasm for supporting the MUST project to meet its objectives.

Sarah Jennings, Executive Director at Natural Resources Wales, emphasized their commitment to supporting the project through its feasibility stage. She stressed the importance of balancing decarbonisation ambitions with the conservation of sensitive natural sites like the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC and Milford Haven Waterway SSSI.

Simon Ames, MD of Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy, expressed excitement about Dragon’s future role in community and environmental sustainability. He acknowledged the importance of government and regulatory support to ensure sustainable development while protecting the environment.

Richard Little, RWE Director of PNZC, expressed delight over the funding received for the MUST project. He underlined the project’s role as a key enabler of RWE’s Pembroke Net Zero Centre (PNZC), a comprehensive multi-technology decarbonisation initiative in South Wales.

The MUST project stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainability, promising a greener, cleaner future for Pembrokeshire and beyond. With significant support from industry leaders and government bodies, it marks a pivotal moment in the region’s environmental journey.

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Climate

How Welsh residents can use clean energy in their homes

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In the next decade, Wales aims to reach 100% of its internal electricity demands through renewable sources. The climate change minister remains at the forefront of ensuring sustainable energy sources in the country.
One way Welsh residents can join in the effort to use clean energy is by adopting renewable energy sources in their homes. These renewable energy sources provide clean and efficient energy without negatively impacting the environment.
Furthermore, these eco-friendly energy sources save money spent on electricity. It aids Welsh residents living in sustainable homes while saving the environment. Let’s dive deep into finding how to transform your houses into energy-efficient and sustainable homes.
What Is It?
Clean energy is pure energy extracted from nature without any pollutants produced with its usage. This energy is highly beneficial for the environment as it doesn’t leave behind any pollutants. It harnesses nature’s power with sources including:
⦁ Sun energy
⦁ Wind
⦁ Water
⦁ Air
Unlike traditional, clean energy sources don’t release harmful pollutants into the air. Green energy, sourced from natural elements, has a key distinction.
Renewable energy from these clean sources comes from continually replenished resources. Thus, it ensures they never run out, unlike non-renewable sources like fossil fuels.
The essence of clean energy is generating power without any potential harm to the environment for citizens.
Choosing clean energy is good for the environment. It helps protect Wale’s natural resources and lowers the chances of environmental disasters.
Because Wale’s government invests heavily in clean energy sources, they can create stable power supplies, strengthening the country’s energy security.
How to Use Clean Energy Sources in Homes

Welsh residents are quickly adopting clean energy sources in their daily routines. Here is a look at some different clean energy sources for Welsh citizens to incorporate:

  1. Rooftop Solar Panels
    The most common source of renewable energy is solar. It includes mounting solar panels on your rooftop to utilize the sun’s energy that gets converted into power. The more solar panels mounted on your rooftop, the more power it generates.
    Additionally, homeowners can invest in lithium batteries as storage backups during nighttime or cloudy days. It ensures a continuous energy supply in your home, enough to power basic home appliances.
    Homeowners can contribute the surplus electricity to the grid and earn compensation. It ensures a steady supply of energy in your house. This is the best option for users looking to homestead upcountry.
  2. Tubular Skylights
    Sometimes, you need to light up your house during the day. Clustered homes without a sufficient supply of natural light depend on lightning. It leads to increased energy bills and carbon footprint.
    A natural way to light up your homes during sunny days is through these innovative tubular skylights. These skylights don’t create electricity but redirect free natural light into your home.
    It’s a highly dependable system similar to a reliable paper writing service online since you know what you’re signing up for. It contains a dome of metal tubes running between the dome on the roof, with the diffuser mounted on the ceiling.
    The inner tubing has a reflective coating reflecting natural sunlight into your home. These systems are easy to install. Also, they are highly rigid to fit into small spaces. Unfortunately, they tools can’t work during nighttime.
  3. Wind Turbine
    Wind turbines are an underrated source of clean energy for homeowners. Especially for ones looking for sustainable living options, harnessing wind power that converts kinetic energy into electricity. Thus, this reduces homeowner’s dependence on fossil fuels.
    The market is full of small wind turbines suited for residential applications. Hence, homeowners can choose their preferred wind turbine size depending on their energy needs.
    Moreover, most wind turbines occupy a maximum of 10 or 20 square feet of ground space, thus making them viable options for small residential homes. Unlike solar power, these turbines can generate electricity day and night on sunny and cloudy days.
  4. Solar Water Heating
    People in Wales are very interested in solar water heating systems because they are easy to use. These systems change the sun’s free energy into hot water. The good thing is that when experts set them up, they don’t need much looking after them.
    Solar water heating systems comprise panels and tubes that gather solar energy, converting sunlight into heat.
    Installing these systems ensures a steady supply of hot water throughout the year. To cope with winter, adding a boiler or immersion heater is necessary. Moreover, homeowners benefit from lower energy bills since solar energy is free.
    Additionally, using solar water heating systems helps reduce one’s carbon footprint by lowering carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to a healthier planet.
    Future of Wales’s Energy Consumption
    In Wales, the future looks promising for sustainable living. The government is determined to satisfy all electricity needs with renewable sources. People generally agree that completely relying on renewable sources is better than relying on fossil fuels.
    As Wales’ population keeps expanding, we see higher energy demand. The solution is turning to renewable sources and clean energy to meet this growing need sustainably.
    The change to clean energy is precedented by local authorities crafting policies necessitating the usage of renewable energy. With more areas driving towards becoming energy-sufficient, governments and corporations are leading the way in fighting for renewable power.
    Our dependence on fossil fuels for years has significantly impacted the climate. We are experiencing the effects of these practices, with global warming becoming a major talking point on the global stage.
    Clean energy guarantees an avenue to alternate fossil fuels. The market has yet to fully explore the possibility of relying on renewable sources for daily demands. However, the conversation is happening at a rapid rate.
    Final Takeaway
    Wales began utilizing renewable energy to meet its internal electricity demands by 2035. Hence, locals should start opening up to sustainable homes relying on clean energy. These options are sustainable ways homeowners can incorporate their energy sufficiency without any adverse climate impacts.
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