A £60 million marine energy development in Pembrokeshire, Wales, has been given the go ahead, paving the way for a 90 square km demonstration zone as well as a marine test centre and centre of excellence.
The UK Government and Welsh Governments have approved the business case for the Pembroke Dock Marine project, which they expect to generate £73.5 million a year for the regional economy.
The demonstration zone is expected to be the largest facility of its kind in the world, delivered by Wave Hub Limited for the testing of full-scale wave and floating wind energy devices.
The project will also see development of 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.
With eight pre-consented sites located in and around the Milford Haven Waterway, the test area aims to de-risk the development of marine energy projects by providing the opportunity to test devices, sub-assemblies and components. It is not grid connected.
A Marine Energy Engineering Centre of Excellence will be a technology, innovation and research centre delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
Land at Pembroke Dock will also be redeveloped, led by the Port of Milford Haven, to deliver infrastructure needed by the industry as it matures.
Pembroke Dock Marine is being led by the private sector, with support from Pembrokeshire County Council, and expects to generate more than 1,800 jobs in the next 15 years.
Cllr David Simpson, Leader of Pembrokeshire Council, said: “Worth £73.5 million a year, Pembroke Dock Marine will also make our economy more resilient in future by transforming Pembrokeshire and the City Region as a whole into a global example of best practice for zero carbon, marine energy innovation.
“With phase one of the Marine Energy Test Area having already opened last year, we now stand ready and wholly committed to accelerate working with our partners to deliver the project.”
Andy Jones, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Developers, who are already attracted by Pembrokeshire’s energy resources and high-skill supply chain, will benefit from Pembroke Dock Marine’s drive to maximise innovation and operational efficiencies as they seek to drive down the cost of marine energy.”
The project is part of the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Pembroke Dock Marine is seeking £28 million from the city deal programme in coming years, which is expected to help leverage a further £32 million of public and private funding.