News

Milford Haven: South Hook power plant plans cancelled

Published

9 years ago

April 27, 2016

southhook PLANS for a combined heat and power station at a Milford Haven gas storage plant have been axed.

The project was a partnership involving Qatar Petroleum, Exxon Mobil and Elf Petroleum UK, but a spokesman has said stakeholders were told earlier this month but “events had moved on”.

The plans for the power plant were granted planning consent in October 2014 but were deferred in February last year, after initial grounder’s had been completed.

About 600 construction jobs were expected to be created by the project, along with 30 permanent jobs at the site, which was next to the existing South Hook Liquefied Natural Gas terminal.

In an email to Milford Haven Town Council, a spokesman said the project was being cancelled “in the light of current market conditions and the international competition for project funding”.

“The decision not to proceed with the South Hook CHP Project was a difficult one for the shareholders to make and reflects the fact that in the light of today’s market conditions all discretionary major investments have to be rigorously appraised.”

Cllr Stephen Joseph told The Herald: “I am sad at this news. When you have something of this magnitude just being called off now, it hits the local economy.”

Back in early 2015 a spokesperson for South Hook CHP Limited said: “I can confirm that the Board of Directors of South Hook CHP Limited determined that, in the light of current market conditions, the decision regarding proceeding with the construction of the proposed South Hook combined heat and power (CHP) plant near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire will be deferred and the Project placed on hold. Development work will be brought to minimum levels required to maintain the integrity of the work done to date and allow the timely and efficient restart of development if required.”

Speaking on behalf of the Shareholders, Nasser Al Jaidah (Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Petroleum International) said: “The decision to place the Project on hold and to defer the investment decision on the South Hook CHP Project was a difficult one for the shareholders to make and reflects the fact that in the light of today’s market conditions all discretionary major investments have to be rigorously appraised. The decision is in no way a reflection on the attractiveness of the South Hook CHP Project itself, the UK as a place to invest or the support we have received for the Project from government and other stakeholders at the national, regional or local level.”

Speaking on behalf of the Shareholders at the time, Nasser Al Jaidah (Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Petroleum International) said: “The decision to place the Project on hold and to defer the investment decision on the South Hook CHP Project was a difficult one for the shareholders to make and reflects the fact that in the light of today’s market conditions all discretionary major investments have to be rigorously appraised. The decision is in no way a reflection on the attractiveness of the South Hook CHP Project itself, the UK as a place to invest or the support we have received for the Project from government and other stakeholders at the national, regional or local level.”

Speaking in 2015, Stephen Crabb MP said: “This is very disappointing news. The construction of the South Hook CHP project would have been a real boost for the local economy. Unfortunately, with the recent collapse in world energy prices, the shareholders of SHCP have had to look again at their planned investments.”

“South Hook CHP have invested considerable effort in bringing the proposals to this point and I am hopeful that this decision will be reviewed again when market conditions change.”

Cllr Paul Miller also spoke of his disappointment at the time: “The news that the South Hook CHP Project is to be put on hold is yet another blow for our county. Murco closing was a body blow but the short term construction jobs the CHP project could have brought – right now when Pembrokeshire jobs are disappearing fast – will be really missed.”

He added: “I understand the economics of energy is difficult at the minute and is changing more rapidly that we’ve seen in a decade or more but government needs to look past the peaks and troughs and while money is cheap plough ahead and invest in Britain’s energy infrastructure for the future.”

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

37 mins ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand. Despite these measures, the terminal remains overwhelmed by the volume of traffic.

From our position at the terminal, we have captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion. The atmosphere is one of both frustration and resilience as passengers await their departures.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”