Welsh Secretary has told clean energy industry leaders that they will
play a vital part in helping to grow the economy in Wales.
The discussion with key figures from the sector at RWE's Pembroke
Power Station today (30 January) was the latest in a series of
round-table meetings chaired by the Welsh Secretary as part of
her drive to deliver economic growth for Wales.
The UK Government is working with the Welsh Government and
industry partners to develop floating offshore wind in the Celtic
Sea. This would see wind turbines built on floating platforms
which means they can take advantage of the wind direction.
The Welsh Secretary heard plans for how floating offshore wind
could support up to 5,300 new jobs and generate up to £1.4bn for
the UK economy.
The UK Government has identified Pembrokeshire as a pilot area to
develop a skilled clean energy workforce, which could see funding
for targeted measures such as training centres and courses to
up-skill workers.
Ports will be vital for supporting floating offshore wind. The UK
Government has announced a partnership between The Crown Estate
and Great British Energy which has the potential to leverage
up to £60 billion of private investment into ports and clean
energy supply lines.
The UK Government has also committed £26 million for the Celtic
Freeport in Milford Haven and Port Talbot. The Celtic Freeport
will encourage growth and investment by creating tax and customs
incentives for business.
Welsh Secretary said:
My clear focus is on delivering the UK Government's Plan for
Change which will kickstart the economy and put more money in
people's pockets in Wales.
We have a world class clean energy sector in Wales, with abundant
natural resources and the potential to be a powerhouse for
economic growth.
I want to see a thriving industry which delivers both well-paid
jobs and contributes to our mission to make the UK a clean energy
superpower by 2030.
The Welsh Secretary's discussion with industry leaders took place
on Thursday 30 January at RWE's Pembroke Power Station and is the
latest in a series of round-table meetings chaired by her as part
of her drive to deliver economic growth for Wales. Ms Stevens has
already met leaders from the digital and tech industry, the
creative sector, the advanced manufacturing sector and the life
sciences industry in Wales.
At the end of 2024 the Welsh Secretary launched the Welsh
Economic Growth Advisory Group to help shape UK Government
efforts to boost growth and put more money in people's pockets.
The group is tasked with informing the UK Government's new
Industrial Strategy to boost key Welsh industries and shape Welsh
priorities for the next Spending Review, both expected during
Spring 2025.
As well as talking to industry leaders the Welsh Secretary
visited Dragon LNG in Milford Haven where she learnt more about
their innovative plans to support proposals to decarbonise
Wales's heavy industries.
Simon Ames Managing Director at Dragon LNG said:
It was a great honour to host the Secretary of State at
Dragon and showcase the local talent at this fantastic facility.
We deliver 10% of UK's gas, ensuring resilience and diversity of
supply from all over the world.
Through the transition to green energy we hope to develop our
joint project with RWE on CO2 capture, liquefaction and shipping
so that they can provide low carbon on demand power into the
UK”.
Ms Stevens also toured Ledwood Mechanical Engineering in Pembroke
Dock. The company specialises in designing, making and installing
complex machinery and structures for the energy industries. There
she spoke to apprentices, who are gaining skills which will be
valuable in the clean energy industry, about their future
ambitions.
Nick Revell Managing Director of Ledwood Mechanical Engineering
said:
There has been much discussion around the potential for the Welsh
economy and local supply chain to capitalise on the potential of
floating offshore wind and tidal power but the reality is that
investors, developers and supply chain partners all have to have
confidence that Governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay will
get behind this new industry.
It's time to stop talking and start doing so that we can remove
barriers and move forward. We welcome the engagement with the
Welsh Secretary and looking forward to working with her and Welsh
Government to help make this happen.
Albie Elliott, an apprentice with Ledwood Mechanical Engineering
said:
The clean energy industry will provide a great long-term career
pathway for apprentices like me who want to live and work
locally.
It's a real exciting time and I am proud to be working for a
company like Ledwood that is based here in Pembroke and is at the
forefront of the global energy processing sector.
