PEMBROKESHIRE has taken a monumental step forward in the green energy revolution with the approval of a major green hydrogen plant.

RWE, Wales’s largest power producer, confirmed this week (Dec 17) that its Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant has been granted full planning permission by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The proposed facility will feature a 100MWe electrolyser capable of producing around two tonnes of hydrogen every hour. This green hydrogen is set to play a key role in decarbonising industrial activities across South Wales.

A local push for net zero

The project is a cornerstone of RWE’s Pembroke Net Zero Centre, which aims to harness Pembrokeshire’s rich energy heritage to drive forward innovation in renewable energy. Once operational, the plant is expected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 93,000 tonnes each year — the equivalent of taking 18,600 cars off the road annually.

The investment will also safeguard existing jobs at the Pembroke Power Station, inject significant economic benefits into the area, and create new opportunities during both the construction and operational phases.

Sopna Sury, Chief Operating Officer for Hydrogen at RWE Generation, praised the local authority for its collaborative approach:
“It is fantastic to have reached this milestone. Pembrokeshire is firmly positioning itself as a leader in the green hydrogen revolution, driving the energy transition and innovation in renewable technology.”

Securing Pembrokeshire’s energy future

The Pembroke Green Hydrogen project underscores RWE’s integral role in the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC), a coalition working to decarbonise industries across the region. SWIC has been pivotal in securing development funding and shaping the plant’s roadmap to success.

Local MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, Henry Tufnell, hailed the approval as a major breakthrough:
“This project highlights Pembrokeshire’s ability to lead in renewable energy technologies, delivering solutions that not only cut emissions but also ensure a sustainable energy future. The Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant is a game-changer for our region and our nation.”

Leading the charge in clean energy

RWE’s commitment to renewable energy is unmatched, with a diverse portfolio spanning onshore and offshore wind, hydro, and biomass. The Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant will cement Pembrokeshire’s reputation as a hub of clean energy innovation, contributing significantly to the UK Government’s ambitious target of 10GW of green hydrogen capacity by 2030.

With planning approval secured, the focus now shifts to finalising government funding and investment decisions. The Pembroke Green Hydrogen plant is poised to be a defining feature of Pembrokeshire’s energy landscape and a vital step toward achieving net-zero emissions.

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

A PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE tutor has been struck off after admitting to police that he had cocaine on college premises but later denying the offence to authorities.

The Fitness to Practise Committee of the Education Workforce Council (EWC) found Phillip Lewis, a former tutor at Pembrokeshire College, guilty of unacceptable professional conduct. The committee said Lewis provided inconsistent explanations about how he came into possession of the Class A drug.

Lewis accepted a police caution in January 2023, which is considered a full admission of the offence. Despite this, he later challenged the allegations, raising concerns about the police’s handling of the matter.

Maxine Thomas, the safeguarding lead at Pembrokeshire College, told the committee that CCTV footage from November 23, 2022, captured a packet of cocaine left on a counter shortly after Mr Lewis had been in the area. The footage also showed Lewis retracing his steps as if searching for something.

The committee reported that Lewis gave conflicting accounts of the incident, including differing accounts of where and when he claimed to have found the packet. His explanations did not match the evidence from the CCTV footage.

“He provided inconsistent details about the circumstances in which he came to possess the packet, none of which aligned with the CCTV evidence,” the committee’s report stated.

Lewis claimed he had discovered the packet in a corridor but lost it shortly afterward. The panel, however, concluded that he should have reported the find immediately if his account were truthful.

“The committee concluded that Mr Lewis brought the packet onto college premises himself and did not hand it in because of its illegal nature,” the panel’s findings read.

The panel deemed that possessing cocaine on college grounds and accepting a police caution constituted unacceptable professional conduct. While no direct harm to students was noted, the panel highlighted the significant risk posed by such actions during working hours.

In deciding to remove Lewis from the professional register, the committee acknowledged his prior good record and his participation in the EWC process. However, these factors were outweighed by aggravating considerations, including his attempts to cover up the incident, providing contradictory accounts, and failing to demonstrate insight or remorse.

Lewis will be eligible to apply for re-registration in two years.