Business

Pembrokeshire households could benefit from new energy infrastructure

Published

9 months ago

March 16, 2025

HOUSEHOLDS in Pembrokeshire and other areas near new or upgraded electricity pylons are set to receive bill discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years, as part of the government’s “Plan for Change.” This initiative, included in the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, ensures that communities benefit directly from hosting vital grid infrastructure—critical for the growing renewable energy sector in West Wales.

Under the new legislation, households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure will receive electricity bill discounts amounting to £250 per year. This will provide significant financial relief to rural communities while supporting the expansion of the national grid—particularly important for Pembrokeshire as it prepares to accommodate new offshore wind developments in the Celtic Sea.

In addition to bill discounts, new guidance will require developers to fund community projects such as sports clubs, educational programmes, and leisure facilities. The government has emphasized that communities hosting infrastructure should see direct benefits, which will also accelerate the transition to clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Pembrokeshire’s role in clean energy

With major offshore wind farms planned for the Celtic Sea, Pembrokeshire is set to become a central hub for renewable energy, bringing investment and infrastructure upgrades. New transmission network developments will be essential to transport this clean energy across Wales and beyond. Community benefits will help ease local opposition and planning delays that have slowed previous projects.

Building new transmission infrastructure is vital for economic growth, unlocking £40 billion annually in private investment, creating jobs, and securing the UK’s energy future. This investment will also protect consumers from volatile fossil fuel prices, which caused energy bills to spike following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Government commitment to clean energy

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “We owe it to the people of this country to get Britain building again. This is not about whether we build the infrastructure we need, but how we do it in partnership with local communities.

“This government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill will slash energy bills for people living near new projects, ensuring they benefit as we drive forward our mission for a more prosperous and energy-secure future.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband echoed this sentiment, stating: “The only way to make Britain energy secure and bring down bills for good is to end our reliance on fossil fuel markets and replace them with clean, homegrown power.

“As part of this effort, we are delivering on our commitment to ensure communities hosting new infrastructure receive meaningful benefits.”

Industry support

John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, welcomed the announcement, stating:

“It is right that communities see enduring, tangible benefits for hosting transmission infrastructure. We look forward to working with communities to deliver long-lasting and meaningful benefits alongside critical infrastructure.”

James Robottom, head of policy at RenewableUK, added: “We welcome the government’s latest steps to accelerate infrastructure development. Guaranteeing lower electricity bills for local communities is a positive step forward. By bringing communities on board, we can speed up the rollout of essential grid infrastructure and strengthen the UK’s energy security.”

Community investment funds for Pembrokeshire

The new guidance also establishes funding for communities hosting grid infrastructure. For every kilometre of overhead electricity cable, communities could receive £200,000 in funding, while substations could generate up to £530,000 in community investment. This means that areas in West Wales affected by new grid connections for offshore wind farms could see millions in funding for local projects.

Pembrokeshire is already seeing a transformation, with the proposed floating offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea expected to generate thousands of jobs and significantly boost the local economy. Milford Haven, already a major energy port, is set to play a key role in the UK’s renewable energy future, with new grid connections ensuring that power from the Celtic Sea reaches homes and businesses efficiently.

The UK’s electricity grid, originally designed in the 1930s, requires significant upgrades to accommodate renewables. Expanding grid infrastructure will reduce constraint costs—where wind farms are paid to shut down due to a lack of capacity—ultimately lowering energy costs for consumers.

With these measures, Pembrokeshire communities closest to new energy infrastructure will benefit from both clean power and financial savings, reinforcing the region’s position as a leader in the UK’s green energy transition.

The upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill will introduce additional measures to accelerate the UK’s clean power transition, unblocking vital new energy infrastructure projects and ensuring that rural communities, including those in West Wales, benefit from the energy revolution.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

11 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

15 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

22 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.