‘Boost for Pembrokeshire’s post-virus economy’

by · June 18, 2020

A £60 million marine energy project that will help tackle climate change while reviving Pembrokeshire’s economy in the wake of Covid-19 has been given the green light. The UK Government and Welsh Government say they have approved the business case for the Pembroke Dock Marine project, which is expected to generate £73.5 million a year to the Swansea Bay City Region’s economy. They say the project is expected to generate more than 1,800 jobs in the next 15 years.

The Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters, said in a written statement:

“The UK and Welsh Governments have agreed to approve the Pembroke Dock Marine project business case.

“The Pembroke Dock Marine Swansea Bay City Deal project will create a world-class centre for marine engineering with an immediate focus on low-carbon energy. The project is expected to generate more than 1,800 jobs in the next 15 years and to generate £73.5 million a year to the Swansea Bay City Region’s economy.

“Pembroke Dock Marine is the Swansea Bay City Deal’s only private-sector-led project and is made up of four elements:

  • The Marine Energy Test Area within the Milford Haven Waterway led by Marine Energy Wales, enabling technology developers to test their marine energy devices close to their base of operation
  • The largest facility of its kind in the world, a 90-square-kilometre Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone, delivered by Wave Hub, that will enable the deployment of future energy-generating technologies, including floating wind
  • Marine Energy Engineering Centre of Excellence – a technology, innovation and research centre delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult
  • Redevelopment of land at Pembroke Dock, led by the Port of Milford Haven, to deliver the infrastructure needed by the industry as it continues to mature

“This is a significant step in moving forward the Swansea Bay City Deal and in demonstrating our commitment to the development of a Centre of Excellence for marine technology in Wales.

“The Welsh Government will continue to work with partners to deliver the City Deal and this announcement underlines our confidence that the deal can deliver for people living and working in the Swansea Bay City Region.”

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Nigel Summerley

Nigel Summerley retired from The Oldie magazine to return to freelance journalism. He previously held executive staff jobs at the London Evening Standard, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Express before freelancing for 20 years for newspapers including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Guardian and the ‘i’ paper, plus a wide range of magazines. He continues to write about music, travel and health, and blogs at www.nigel-summerley.blogspot.com.

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