High energy: It has to be Pembrokeshire

Only a few years ago Pembrokeshire had the highest rate of unemployment in Wales, now it has one of the lowest. The economy being revitalised by massive energy project investments that will shortly see the county become a major supplier of gas with the capability of providing 30 percent of the UK’s needs.

With North Sea gas fields nearing the end of their lives alternative gas sources were sought and, in addition to pipelines from mainland Europe, Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminals along the Milford Haven Waterway proved to be a viable option. Consequently, at a combined cost of around £1bn, two massive LNG terminals and a high pressure link into the national distribution network are under construction backed by energy giants, including Exxon Mobil, Qatar Gas, Total, 4Gas, Petronas and the BG Group. Pembrokeshire was selected because of availability of the deep water port facilities that already service the needs of two large Oil Refineries, operated by Chevron and Murco (Murphy Oil), which supply around 25 percent of the UK’s refined products and export to Europe and the USA.

RWE Npower has also announced plans to build the UK’s largest gas fired power station on the site of their former oil-fired Pembroke Power Station. This £800m project has been approved by Pembrokeshire County Council and is now awaiting final approval from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and construction is hoped to start later in the year. Using the latest CCGT technology the new 2,000 MW power station will be one of the most efficient and cleanest in Europe.

But it is not only the UK that will benefit from the energy produced in Pembrokeshire as Imera Power are proposing to construct an Interconnector, linking Ireland to Wales, thereby reinforcing the distribution of electricity to both countries.
Pembrokeshire’s larger businesses were quick to recognise and benefits from the opportunities created by these massive construction and engineering projects. New skills and knowledge have been gained and these are enabling them to compete for further orders on a world wide basis. Many smaller enterprises have expanded to service the needs of these larger organisations and their workers.

The good news does not stop there as renewable energy projects are also being attracted to the county. Surrounded by sea on three sides, Pembrokeshire is a natural location for marine generation and Wavedragon are to develop and test their full size prototype off the west coast of the county. EON/Lunar Energy have also announced plans for the world’s largest tidal flow generation scheme and other marine technology companies are considering the area and further R & D announcements are expected in the near future.

This work is being encouraged by the existence of Technium Pembrokeshire, an innovation and business incubation centre, run by a partnership of Pembrokeshire County Council, Swansea University and the Welsh Assembly Government. Partly funded by European Objective 1 money and Local Regeneration Funds, the Technium is home to Swansea University research teams working in the fields of Power Electronics, Environmental & Energy Law and other projects including research into second generation bio-refining technologies are being prepared.

Businesses locating in the Technium can benefit from the University’s research capacity as well as from the high quality business support provided by the local Technium management and the welsh Technium network.

The existence of the major Oil Refineries is creating an interest in bio-refining and bio-fuels. Celtic Bio Diesel already has a manufacturing facility in Pembroke Dock and other bio-fuel companies have expressed an interest in developing facilities in the county. Other forms of renewable energy are also represented and recently Quiet Revolution has opened a manufacturing facility in Pembroke Dock where high quality composite technology is available to enable them to source their high tech turbine blades.

Emphasis on environmental stewardship is important to Pembrokeshire where Tourism is a major part of the local economy. The number of tourists visiting the county will increase when construction of the £120m Bluestone Holiday Village is complete. Guests staying in luxury timber cabins and having the use of a large water park and indoor ski slopes will enjoy this year round resort. Those wishing to venture outside the perimeter of the holiday village will be able to join the thousands of other visitors who are attracted to Pembrokeshire by the many Blue Flag beaches, fine surfing, walking the 180 mile coastal footpath or enjoying many other activities in the fine countryside.

Other new investments in the county include a new Business Park, two new marinas, an Automotive Retail Park and various retail opportunities.

For information about further business opportunities in Pembrokeshire, or about the Technium, contact Tony Streatfield, inward investment officer on 01437 776166 or David Thomas, Technium manager on 01646 689 302.