Business

Offshore wind could power economic growth

Published

3 months ago

February 24, 2024

UPTO 5,300 new jobs and up to £1.4 billion could be generated for the UK economy by galvanising the supply chain and infrastructure opportunities arising from the development of new floating wind farms.The independent study, The Celtic Sea Blueprint, conducted by Lumen Energy & Environment, looked at the minimum requirements needed to deliver the first three projects outlined by The Crown Estate in December.
It also examined the gaps, such as ports deep enough for handling the giant turbines, vessels to service the sites, and export cables to transport electricity to land.
Addressing these gaps will be critical to establishing these first windfarms, and, with a further pipeline of windfarms expected in the region and rising global demand, the opportunities for ports, manufacturers and the wider supply chain could be far greater.
Action is required now, locally and nationally, to capture the opportunities associated with this fast, growing, innovative new technology. The first three floating wind farms, which will be able to generate up to 4.5GW of electricity – enough to power more than four million homes, will be some of the largest in the world.
And, as the first in the UK outside of Scotland, it marks a new phase for offshore wind in England and Wales.
The South West/Wales has the potential to be at the forefront of driving this development with opportunities from port infrastructure to significant SME support across the supply chain.
In particular, the research highlighted opportunities for the region, from assembling the large floating platforms needed to house the turbines to building on the existing local high-skilled welding and concrete expertise and local suppliers.
It highlighted opportunities for local ports across the region from the assembly, transport, and storage of parts during the construction and life-cycle of the sites.
At the same time, the region’s strong shipping expertise could also benefit during the development stages.
Gus Jaspert, Managing Director of Marine at The Crown Estate, said: “Floating wind is an incredibly exciting opportunity for the region and the nation. It will boost clean electricity generation by unlocking the deeper waters of the Celtic Sea not previously accessible by fixed turbines and providing greater access to wind blowing from the west.
“The benefits, though, are even more wide-ranging. They open up wider local and national opportunities for manufacturers and the supply chain, from cables to platform construction to port development, creating thousands of new jobs and skills.
“But there are also gaps in the market.
“If the UK is to make the most of the economic and environmental opportunities from the transition to renewable energy, we must be on the front foot. We must act now to develop the supply chain capability, skills and infrastructure needed to establish these windfarms and future floating windfarms in the Celtic Sea and elsewhere.
“We want to work with the industry, trade organisations, local communities and across governments to ensure we are harnessing all the available opportunities and supporting the UK in continuing to accelerate its world-leading position in offshore wind.”
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail, Co-Chair of the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce, said: “The Celtic Sea Blueprint shows that floating wind can deliver immense industrial growth.
“Some of the world’s biggest floating wind farms will be built in the Celtic Sea, with turbines twice as tall as Blackpool Tower, platforms the size of football pitches and hundreds of kilometres of hi-tech cables.”
Jess Hooper, Director for RenewableUK Cymru, added: “Manufacturing is part of the Welsh national story. We have a proud industrial work heritage, a skilled manufacturing base, and strong links with the universities and colleges that feed into this industry.
“Retaining, upskilling and transitioning our local workforce towards offshore wind is the biggest opportunity to provide high-quality employment for decades to come.
“Only by developing our port capabilities in South Wales can we do this.
“Our ports are paramount in attracting the right anchor companies to safeguard against project delivery bottlenecks and develop our local supply chain capabilities.
“Investment in the region now is critical to delivering on that 4.5GW of offshore wind at the scale and pace required to meet our net zero targets.”
The Crown Estate is now focused on bringing key parties together to create an action plan for developing supply chain and infrastructure capabilities in the region and across the UK.
The Crown Estate has invested in extensive spatial planning and surveys to map the environmental and physical properties of the wind farm sites, conducted environmental assessments and begun work with the Electricity System Operator on connections to the UK’s energy grid up front in the process.
It will also introduce a series of contractual commitments for developers to help drive positive social and environmental impacts for the region focused on jobs, skills and training, environmental benefits and working with local communities.
The formal tender process for the floating wind farms starts at the end of the month.

Business

Port welcomes first vessel to new workboat pontoons

Published

17 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE PORT, which is owned and operated by the Port of Milford Haven, has welcomed the first customer to its new workboat pontoons. Installed as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to modernise the Port’s infrastructure, the pontoons are available for use by a range of vessels including workboats, barges and other small vessels.

CRC Sentinel, a dive support vessel owned by Commercial Rib Charter which is undertaking work on the Milford Haven Waterway, was the first to use the new pontoons.

Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager for Pembroke Port commented: “It’s great to see these new assets being utilised. Pembroke Port is perfectly positioned within the Port of Milford Haven to act as a hub for operations associated with marine activity taking place within the Port and the Celtic Sea. The pontoons are available for short and long term berthing and have secure access, as well as electricity and water hook ups.

The workboat pontoons compliment the other infrastructure upgrades we made as part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project including new laydown space and an expanded slipway.

We look forward to working with our existing customers, and welcoming new ones, to use the new facilities at Pembroke Port.”

The new infrastructure at Pembroke Port forms part of the Pembroke Dock Marine project to create a world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave, and tidal renewable energy projects.

Alongside the Port’s own investment, Pembroke Dock Marine – a Swansea Bay City Deal project – is part funded by the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government as well as other private sector partners.

During construction, the project supported over 50 jobs including 6 apprenticeships. Contractors BAM, Walters Group and R&M Williams undertook community activity during the project, with the local community benefiting from over £11m local spend.

For further details on the facilities at Pembroke Port, and how the Pembroke Dock Marine investments have readied Pembroke Port for future energy, please visit www.pembrokeport.com.

Business

Last Call for Entries: Carmarthenshire Business Awards

Published

20 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BUSINESSES throughout Carmarthenshire are urged to submit their nominations for the prestigious Carmarthenshire Business Awards as the deadline of 17th May 2024 rapidly approaches.

Organised by Grapevine Event Management, these awards are set to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of local enterprises across a variety of sectors. With the nomination process ending in less than two weeks, businesses and individuals from across the county are invited to take advantage of the opportunity for recognition by entering one of the 15 award categories.

The winners will be unveiled during a glamorous black-tie event at Parc y Scarlets on 12th July, attended by the crème de la crème of Carmarthenshire’s business community.

Liz Brookes, the founder of the awards and director at Grapevine Event Management, expressed her enthusiasm about the high quality of entries received so far. “We are thrilled with the response and the calibre of organisations that have entered. This is the final call for entries; it’s time to ensure your business and its contributions are recognised,” she stated.

Rupert Moon, chair of the judges, highlighted the significance of the awards in promoting local businesses. “Carmarthenshire boasts a range of fantastic businesses. These awards are not just a celebration but a platform to highlight significant achievements in innovation, sustainability, growth, and export success among others,” Moon commented.

Support for the event is strong, with notable local companies such as Castell Howell Ltd leading as headline sponsors. “Supporting local business is essential for Carmarthenshire’s prosperity. These awards are a fantastic opportunity for businesses to gain the recognition they deserve,” said Martin Jones, Director of Castell Howell.

Additional sponsors include Swansea Building Society, Dunbia, Azets, JCP Solicitors, JG HR Solutions Ltd, Business News Wales, and Stills, all contributing to the event’s success.

For more information on how to enter the Carmarthenshire Business Awards, or to register before the 17th May deadline, please visit https://carmsbusinessawards.com/.

Business

Lidl will be first supermarket to sell milk from Pembrokeshire Creamery

Published

21 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

LIDL has announced that it will soon become the first UK retailer to sell milk exclusively produced and bottled in Wales, thanks to a partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery.

Starting from June 1, Lidl customers in Wales will be able to purchase Welsh own-label milk products, with plans to extend this to include cream shortly thereafter.

Previously, milk produced in Wales was transported to England for bottling before being sold in Welsh stores. However, with a significant £20m investment supported by the Welsh government, Pembrokeshire Creamery has now established the only bottling facility in the country certified to supply supermarkets. This development not only reduces transportation distances, thus cutting down on food miles, but also generates 80 new jobs in the local community.

The initiative is part of Lidl’s broader strategy to support Welsh agriculture and provide consumers with locally sourced products. Their range already includes Welsh bread, butter, yoghurt, eggs, lamb, and beef. Richard Bourns, Lidl GB’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasised the retailer’s dedication to local produce: “Our partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery is testament to our commitment to offer Welsh shoppers the very best in homegrown food and drink.”

Mark McQuade, Managing Director of Pembrokeshire Creamery, highlighted the efficiency of the new operation. “The partnership will deliver products from farm to shelf in a more efficient way, removing the need for Welsh milk to be sent to England for bottling, before coming back to Wales,” he said.

This news coincides with Lidl’s announcement of a £500m investment in the British pork industry, aimed at supporting continued production amidst recent challenges such as rising costs, a Chinese import ban on EU pork, and butcher shortages, which have significantly impacted the sector.

Lidl’s initiatives are set to bolster not only the local Welsh economy but also the broader agricultural sector across the UK.