News

Welsh marine energy sector recognised

Published

11 years ago

December 11, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Heavy lift: The turbine under construction

THE OFFICIAL short-list for the 2014 Tidal Today Energy Awards has been announced, recognising excellence and outstanding achievements in the tidal sector over the past year. Welsh based projects have been nominated for an impressive total of three awards; Best example of Industry Collaboration (Marine Energy Pembrokeshire), Best Small Company (Tidal Energy Limited) and Most Supportive Supply Chain Company (Pembroke Port).

Elizabeth Demestiha, Project Director at Tidal Today, said: “We are delighted to see that Marine Energy Pembrokeshire, Tidal Energy Ltd and Pembroke Port are finalists for an International Tidal Energy Award, this really demonstrates the momentum that is building for the Welsh marine energy sector, and we hope that this will encourage further collaboration between key players.”

Wales’ profile as an ideal location for marine renewables has increased in recent years, due to the excellent collaborative work by Marine Energy Pembrokeshire and its members. The working group comprised of technology developers, the supply chain, academia and the public sector provides a platform to collaborate on operational solutions such as research, contacts and knowledge exchange.

The success of this collaboration is highlighted by the number of developers and supply chain companies who are now members. Project Director of Marine Energy Pembrokeshire, David Jones, said: “Wales is entering a critical phase in the growth of marine renewable energy. There is increasing developer interest, new structural funds prioritising marine energy and Demonstration Zones for wave (Pembrokeshire) and tidal (Anglesey).

Our last meeting saw new developers join us from America, Australia, Singapore and Sweden. We are delighted to be short-listed, particularly alongside Tidal Energy Limited and Pembroke Port who are both members of MEP, highlighting that collaboration is key and that momentum in Wales is increasing.” Nominated for best small company, Tidal Energy Limited uses the DeltaStream technology, conceived by Pembrokeshire Marine Engineer Richard Ayre.

Deployment of the technology, which was fabricated on site by marine engineering experts Mustang Marine, is imminent with all commissioning work complete and the heavy lift barge stationed at Pembroke Port. The project is being used to prove the capability of DeltaStream as a tidal stream generator and will provide evidence on how the device interacts with the environment around it.

During its deployment, the device will be connected to the local distribution network, allowing the electricity generated by it to contribute to the renewable energy targets of the Welsh Government. The importance of collaboration has been further highlighted in the Awards by lgiving recognition to the most supportive supply chain company.

It’s a vital element which helps drive time and cost efficiencies for developers. Pembroke Port plays an important role in the region’s supply chain. The deep water port is within easy steaming distance of the area’s superb marine energy resource and has the onsite flexibility to accommodate renewables projects.

It has been instrumental in encouraging and demonstrating collaborative working with developers and other members of the supply chain. Kevin Hobbs, Short Sea Director at the Port of Milford Haven, has overseen the Tidal Energy Limited project based at the Pembroke Port facility. He said: “This is an exciting time for us all. We know the importance of building strong relationships and are delighted to receive this nomination from our clients, Tidal Energy Limited.”

Claire Palmer, Business Development and Project Manager, explained “Pembrokeshire has a superb marine energy resource and, importantly, has the supply chain services and infrastructure needed by developers in order to fabricate and deploy innovative devices. By working closely together we can fully understand their business and project requirements which means that we can offer them a crucial level of flexibility and, ultimately, time and cost efficiency.”

Alec Don, Chief Executive at the Port, added “Our long term strategy, supported by significant investment, has enabled Pembroke Port to become a key delivery centre for this growing industry and we are already beginning to take enquiries from key industry players. To receive recognition for this from within the industry is a proud moment not just for us, but for the whole of Pembrokeshire and Wales.”

The continuing development of marine energy has huge potential to create sustainable jobs for the region with a recent study by Welsh Government highlighting the impact this new sector could bring. A 30MW wave installation and a 30MW tidal stream installation has the potential to support over £70m of GVA across Wales, based on total investment of £150m. It could also provide 2,000 person-years of employment associated with development and installation, with a further £2m in GVA and 50 FTE jobs per annum throughout the period of generation.

Cllr Jamie Adams, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, added: “Pembrokeshire County Council recognises the critical role that the energy sector plays in the local, regional and national economy and proactively supports developments that help to diversify and sustain the sector and the county’s position as the UK energy capital. Marine renewables offer exciting opportunities for quality local jobs to be created and we’re delighted to be working with partners to help unlock this potential.”

Crime

Man accused of Milford Haven burglary and GBH remanded to Crown Court

Published

8 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court charged with burglary and inflicting grievous bodily harm, following an incident at a flat in the town earlier this week.

Charged after alleged attack inside Victoria Road flat

Stephen Collier, aged thirty-eight, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, Dec 5). Collier is accused of entering a property known as Nos Da Flat, 2 Victoria Road, on December 3 and, while inside, inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man named John Hilton.

The court was told the alleged burglary and assault was carried out jointly with another man, Denis Chmelevski.

The charge is brought under section 9(1)(b) of the Theft Act 1968, which covers burglary where violence is inflicted on a person inside the property.

No plea entered

Collier, represented by defence solicitor Chris White, did not enter a plea during the hearing. Prosecutor Simone Walsh applied for the defendant to be remanded in custody, citing the serious nature of the offence, the risk of further offending, and concerns that he could interfere with witnesses.

Magistrates Mr I Howells, Mr V Brickley and Mrs H Meade agreed, refusing bail and ordering that Collier be kept in custody before trial.

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Collier will next appear on January 5, 2026 at 9:00am for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing.

A custody time limit has been set for June 5, 2026.

Chmelevski is expected to face proceedings separately.

News

Woman dies after collision in Tumble as police renew appeal for witnesses

Published

9 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information after a woman died following a collision in Tumble on Tuesday (Dec 2).

Officers were called to Heol y Neuadd at around 5:35pm after a collision involving a maroon Skoda and a pedestrian. The female pedestrian was taken to hospital but sadly died from her injuries.

Dyfed-Powys Police has launched a renewed appeal for witnesses, including anyone who may have dash-cam, CCTV footage, or any information that could help the investigation.

Investigators are urging anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have captured the vehicle or the pedestrian on camera shortly before the collision to get in touch. (Phone: 101 Quote reference: DP-20251202-259.)

News

Greyhound Bill faces fresh scrutiny as second committee raises “serious concerns”

Published

9 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PROHIBITION of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill has been heavily criticised for a second time in 24 hours after the Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution (LJC) Committee published a highly critical Stage 1 report yesterday.

The cross-party committee said the Welsh Government’s handling of the legislation had “in several respects, fallen short of the standard of good legislative practice that we would normally expect”.

Key concerns highlighted by the LJC Committee include:

Introducing the Bill before all relevant impact assessments (including a full Regulatory Impact Assessment and Children’s Rights Impact Assessment) had been completed – a step it described as “poor legislative practice, particularly … where the Bill may impact on human rights”.
Failure to publish a statement confirming the Bill’s compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The committee has recommended that Rural Affairs Minister Huw Irranca-Davies issue such a statement before the Stage 1 vote on 16 December.
Inadequate public consultation, with the 2023 animal-licensing consultation deemed “not an appropriate substitute” for targeted engagement on the specific proposal to ban the sport.

The report follows Tuesday’s equally critical findings from the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee, which questioned the robustness of the evidence base and the accelerated legislative timetable.

Industry reaction Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), described the two reports as leaving the Bill “in tatters”.

“Two consecutive cross-party Senedd committees have now condemned the Welsh Government’s failures in due diligence, consultation and human rights considerations and evidence gathering,” he said. “The case for a ban has been comprehensively undermined. The responsible path forward is stronger regulation of the single remaining track at Ystrad Mynach, not prohibition.”

Response from supporters of the Bill Luke Fletcher MS (Labour, South Wales West), who introduced the Member-proposed Bill, said he welcomed thorough scrutiny and remained confident the legislation could be improved at later stages.

“I have always said this Bill is about ending an outdated practice that causes unnecessary suffering to thousands of greyhounds every year,” Mr Fletcher said. “The committees have raised legitimate procedural points, and I look forward to working with the Welsh Government and colleagues across the Senedd to address those concerns while keeping the core aim of the Bill intact.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Minister has noted the committees’ reports and will respond formally in due course. The government supports the principle of the Bill and believes a ban on greyhound racing is justified on animal welfare grounds. Work is ongoing to finalise the outstanding impact assessments and to ensure full compatibility with the ECHR.”

The Bill is scheduled for a Stage 1 debate and vote in plenary on Tuesday 16 December. Even if it passes that hurdle, it would still require significant amendment at Stages 2 and 3 to satisfy the committees’ recommendations.