News
Record crowd at marine energy event
THE SEVENTH Annual Marine Energy Pembrokeshire Industry Seminar will be held on March 14.
This event has been fully booked with experts from across the field of marine renewables for the last 6 years.
With increased focus on Wales’ potential to service this advancing industry and the economic opportunities it brings for the region, the event has relocated this year to a larger venue, the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven.
Interest in Pembrokeshire and Wales is on the increase due to the progression of two marine energy demonstration zones, awarded seabed leases and tidal lagoons, combined with the availability of €100.4 million structural funding prioritising marine energy.
Record figures are expected as interest in the area continues to climb. Event hosts Marine Energy Pembrokeshire are delighted that Edwina Hart MBE AM, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport will deliver the Key Note address to kick off the packed itinerary.
Delegates will then have the opportunity to listen to speakers from Welsh European Funding Office, Natural Resources Wales, the Port of Milford Haven and many more. Orkney based companies Aquatera and Leask Marine will be providing a lessons learn overview of operations delivered.
Developers such as Tidal Energy Ltd, Marine Power Systems and Tidal Lagoon Power will be providing updates on their project developments in Wales to the audience throughout the course of the day. Event sponsors are Welsh Government, the Port of Milford Haven and Burges Salmon.
To enable discussions to continue after the formal event closure, a networking dinner will be held on the evening of the conference.
A key milestone for marine renewable energy was reached in December 2015 with the first device in Welsh waters being deployed by Tidal Energy Ltd (TEL) in Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire. Following the conference, TEL’s team will be hosting delegates at St. Justinian’s to showcase their deployment and monitoring operations of the Deltastream device.
David Jones, Project Director of Marine Energy Pembrokeshire said: “It is looking to be a record year in terms of conference attendees. This is testament to the huge amount of work that has already gone into highlighting the opportunities Pembrokeshire and Wales can offer the sector.
“This new sustainable energy sector can benefit from our significant natural resources the grid connection possibilities, the transferable skills of the oil and gas industry, research links, the world class port facilities and the area designated as an energy Enterprise Zone.
“We need to make the most of promoting these and ensuring we maximise usage of €100.4 million of EU structural funding set aside for marine energy and Demonstration Zones. At this time Wales really is well placed to play a leading role in the worldwide marine energy sector.
“For Pembrokeshire it is a real opportunity for economic growth developing a new Low Carbon sector, building on our existing strengths.”
Attendees represent a range of interested parties, with delegates from supply chain companies, supporting organisations and technology developers to the government and research sector.
For details on how to book including sponsorship, exhibition packages, the post event networking dinner and TEL tour, please contact Holly Pretious [email protected].
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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