THE ONCE-THRIVING port town of Pembroke Dock is witnessing a significant transformation, as a £60 million redevelopment project breathes new life into the area, with the promise of up to 1,800 jobs. This ambitious project marks the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at revitalising the local economy, which has been hit hard by the closure of oil refineries and the subsequent loss of jobs.

The historic dockyard has been upgraded into what has been hailed as a “world-class centre” for wind, wave, and tidal power projects. The revitalised Pembroke Port was officially opened on Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, The Secretary of State of Wales Jo Stevens, and the First Minister Eluned Morgan, who all highlighted the significance of this development during what has been described as a pivotal year for marine energy in Wales.

Key features of the upgrade include a new “supersized slipway” designed to attract renewable energy firms, with the ultimate goal of creating 1,800 new jobs in the region. However, industry experts have cautioned that additional government funding will be required to fully prepare Wales’ ports for the growing opportunities in offshore energy generation.

Pembroke Dock, holds a significant place in British naval history. Established as a Royal Navy dockyard in 1814, the town saw the construction of five Royal Yachts and numerous other vessels. During World War II, it became the world’s largest military flying boat station. Now, the site is “on the threshold of a new epoch,” according to Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive of the Milford Haven Port Authority.

Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council said : “What we are doing is playing our part in de-energising the UK energy industry in developing those new renewable technologies and deploying them.

“If we get this right there is really a chance for this to be transformational for the Pembrokeshire economy. I said in my speech just now that I am old enough to remember four refineries, and we are down to just one now. Never before have we been talking about something which could replace all that on that sort of scale. This genuinely could be transformational, like those days in the 1950’s when the oil industry came to Pembrokeshire.”

The Pembroke Dock Marine programme, supported by both UK and Welsh government funding as well as private investment, aims to transform the site into a “renewables port.” This development is part of the broader Swansea Bay City Deal, and Mr Sawyer described it as “the culmination of years of hard work to create a multi-purpose port” in Pembroke Dock.

In addition to the enlarged slipway, the redevelopment includes new workboat pontoons, office and workshop facilities, and expansive areas for companies to construct and store renewable energy devices and components. Mr Sawyer emphasised the importance of these upgrades, stating that “the size of the slipways and the access from quayside into deep water are fundamental requirements for many of the renewable technologies going out to sea.”

This work complements existing local initiatives, such as the Marine Energy Test Area (META) and the Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone (PDZ), which provide firms with the opportunity to trial new technologies at sea. Planning permission for the project was granted in 2021, including the construction of the “supersized” slipway into the estuary, despite opposition from heritage organisations concerned about the impact on the port’s historic buildings and infrastructure. Ultimately, Pembrokeshire Council and the Welsh Government determined that the economic benefits of advancing the marine energy sector “far outweigh” those concerns.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “Today, Pembrokeshire’s long heritage of maritime excellence is leading the way for the future of the UK with the launch of this Pembroke Dock Marine programme.

“This is a major step towards us becoming a world leader in zero-carbon marine engineering and tackling climate change for a cleaner, greener, more ambitious future for us all.

“And a future where we see our bold ambitions on growth and jobs for and with every part of the UK go hand in hand with our ambitions on Net Zero and sustainable energy.”

Prif Weinidog, Eluned Morgan, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in delivering this important infrastructure project that will be transformative for the region as we grow Wales’ low carbon economy further. It is a real example of the benefits of partnership between private sector business and government at local, national and UK level.

“Supported by Welsh Government, it marks an important milestone in our journey towards realising the opportunities of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea – and has real potential to generate high quality jobs and support sustainable economic growth. It also allows us to continue on our journey of tackling climate change together for a green and prosperous Wales.”

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the significance of this investment: ”For the UK to become a clean energy superpower, we need modernised ports just like this in Pembroke Dock, which will be the backbone of the energy hubs of the future.

“The UK Government is proud to invest in this project. Wales is at the forefront of our ambitions for GB Energy and facilities like Pembroke Dock Marine will contribute to our net zero goals, bringing down energy bills and creating skilled jobs for the people of Pembrokeshire.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO of the Port of Milford Haven, commented: “Today is the culmination of years of hard work to create a multi-purpose, future energy ready Port in Pembroke Dock. This vital, enabling infrastructure, made possible by public and private collaboration, will provide the base for a green cyclical economy, rich in local supply chain opportunities, to flourish in south west Wales. As industry is increasingly attracted to these new facilities and services, this hub is expected to generate over 1,800 jobs. But our ambition doesn’t stop here; we stand ready to make further investments to cater for the rapidly evolving demands of the green energy sector so that Wales reaps the benefits of this fledgling industry.“

Henry Tufnell MP, Member of Parliament for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, told The Herald: “It was great to welcome Angela Rayner, Eluned Morgan and Jo Steven’s to Pembroke Dock to open the new world-class centre for wind, wave and tidal power projects at Pembroke Port.

“We are in a new era of collaboration between Welsh and UK Government, which will directly benefit Pembrokeshire, placing us at the forefront of the Green Energy Revolution.

“Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan will ensure that we cut energy bills, deliver energy security and create good well paid jobs in the county – today is the first step on this exciting journey.”

Councillor Rob Stewart, Chairman of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Joint Committee, said “The City Deal is making significant progress with all projects on the delivery phase. The City deal Pembroke Dock Marine project,is growing the economy and creating employment opportunities with a particular focus on the energy sector and renewable technologies. This investment in Pembroke Port will regenerate Pembroke Dock and the wider region by providing a base for the green energy economy, which is fundamental for the future of South West Wales. Coupled with the recent success of the Celtic Freeport bid, it strengthens our ambitions to create a prosperous region for businesses to thrive and residents to access well-paid jobs, both now and in the future.”

As Wales positions itself to capitalise on these opportunities, Pembroke Dock stands as a symbol of the region’s resilience and its commitment to a sustainable, prosperous future.