Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns visited some of Pembrokeshire’s leading marine renewables tech firms to underline his support for the sector and highlight the importance of the UK government’s City Deal to future economic growth in the region.
The Secretary of State for Wales was joined by Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven which is leading the £76 million Pembroke Dock Marine project .
The project was successful in its bid for the UK government’s City Deal funding as it seeks to create a center for the development and testing of wave and tidal energy devices in Pembrokeshire.
The development will also extend beyond renewables creating facilities that have application for multiple blue economy industries, according to Port of Milford Haven.
Secretary Cairns caught up with the progress of Marine Power Systems’ WaveSub and Bombora’s mWave , just two of the innovative devices being developed in Pembrokeshire which are hoped to generate clean, low cost electricity.
Alun Cairns said: “Through the City Deal, the UK Government wants to make sure there are more opportunities for school leavers to benefit from local career opportunities, and to work in rewarding, skilled industries. The marine renewables industry clearly has the potential to provide those jobs of the future.”
Alec Don , Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven, added: “Combined with private investment, City Deal Funding will be a rare boost in a region that is heavily reliant on so few, typically seasonal, industries as well as the nationally important fuel industry. We believe the City Deal will help create new opportunities that will secure existing jobs and create new rewarding employment for the people of Pembrokeshire.”