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A government-backed initiative is set to transform the historic Pembroke Dock into a premier global hub for wind, wave, and tidal power, with a projected creation of 1,800 new jobs. Located on the Milford Haven waterway in Pembrokeshire, this dockyard has undergone a remarkable £60 million renovation, officially unveiled earlier this week by top government officials.
The Port of Milford Haven now owns and operates this revamped facility, which aims to attract developers in the renewable energy sector. The newly modernised dock is poised to become a cornerstone in zero-carbon marine engineering, focusing on wind, wave, and tidal energy innovations.
The Pembroke Dock Marine project was launched yesterday with notable speeches from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan, and Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens MP. This ambitious scheme received funding from both the UK and Welsh governments via the Swansea Bay City Deal, alongside private investment from the Port of Milford Haven.
Significant upgrades include a vast new slipway area designed for the construction and storage of clean technology, as well as enhanced workboat pontoons, office spaces, and workshops tailored to support the Milford Haven Energy Cluster's activities.
Approved in 2020, the port's modernisation aims to support various organisations dedicated to advancing renewable energy and marine innovation in the Celtic Sea. This includes the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult's Marine Energy Engineering Centre of Excellence, Wales' Marine Energy Test Area, and Celtic Sea Power's Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone for floating offshore wind. The project is also part of the Celtic Freeport, a scheme established last year to invigorate Wales' industrial regions with special tax incentives for businesses.
Rayner emphasised that the Pembroke Dock Marine project will position the UK as a leader in maritime decarbonisation solutions.
"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," she said. "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."
Eluned Morgan, recently appointed Wales' First Minister, described the port project as "transformative" for the region, highlighting its potential to bolster Wales' low-carbon economy.
"It is a real example of the benefits of partnership between private sector business and government at local, national and UK level," she said. "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."
Eluned Morgan, recently appointed Wales' First Minister, described the port project as "transformative" for the region, highlighting its potential to bolster Wales' low-carbon economy.
However, the proposal has faced significant opposition from both local and national heritage organisations. Critics argue that the development could have a "catastrophic" impact on the 200-year-old site's historic buildings and infrastructure. Despite these concerns, Pembrokeshire Council, supported by the Welsh Government, determined that the economic advantages of advancing the marine energy sector at Pembroke Dock far outweigh the potential risks.
This development follows several early initiatives by the Labour government to advance a nearly decarbonised electricity system in the UK by 2030. Key actions include:
Lifting the de facto ban on new onshore wind farms in England.
Establishing the publicly-owned green power company Great British Energy.
Halting new oil and gas drilling licenses in the North Sea.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens emphasised that "modernised ports" like Pembroke Dock will be crucial as the "backbone of the energy hubs of the future," supporting the Labour government's goal of transforming the UK into a "clean energy superpower."
"The UK government is proud to invest in this project," she said. "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".
In related news, Associated British Ports and px Group—owners and operators of Saltend Chemicals Park on Humberside—have unveiled plans for a Clean Growth Hub at the Port of Barry in South Wales.
This ambitious project aims to revitalise 100 acres of operational port space, transforming it into a hub for low-carbon and high-growth infrastructure. The initiative will cater to specialists in rare piles of earth processing, battery materials manufacturers, green energy firms, net-zero supply chains, and businesses focused on carbon capture and utilisation.
"Ports are at the heart of the UK's green energy transition," said Henrik L. Pedersen, CEO of Associated British Ports. "This development ensures that Barry will play a greater role as we look to deliver a lower-carbon future."
However, these developments come amidst industry warnings that upgrading green infrastructure at UK ports is facing significant delays. Challenges such as under-resourced regulatory bodies, slow consent processes, and complex regulatory requirements are cited as factors contributing to these "inordinate" delays.
In a conversation with The Financial Times this morning, Claudio Veritiero, Chief Executive of Peel Ports Group, expressed frustration over what he termed a "regulatory drag" impacting projects to reduce carbon emissions. This criticism comes despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pledge to align with "the builders, not the blockers."
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