It is unlikely we will see floating offshore wind turbines built in the Port. The Port will likely be used for operations and maintenance once construction is underway in the Celtic Sea.

The River Cleddau is also home to META (The Marine Energy Test Area), which allows for testing of marine energy devices at three different sites on the waterway. You might sometimes see these new and innovative devices being put in or taken out!

Pembroke Port is also building large lay down space for marine energy technology!

For more information, visit the following web pages at Marine Energy Wales: Celtic Sea and Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW).

Yes, like any developing technology, marine renewables come with their own set of challenges. One major issue is the high cost of building and running projects using newer technologies. Another concern is what happens when the equipment reaches the end of its life—removing and safely decommissioning it can be tricky and expensive. These are important challenges that need to be addressed to make sure marine renewable energy works well in the long run.

Marine renewable energy presents significant opportunities for young people, particularly in terms of careers. There are new projects starting in the UK, which is exciting, but it’s important to be realistic and make sure these projects actually provide the job opportunities they promise. Take a look at this careers website to find out more about the opportunities in the industry.

Yes, there’s a surprising amount of activity in the marine energy sector along the Welsh coast. This growing industry could offer various employment opportunities, making it worth exploring for those interested in the field. Projects like the Morlais Tidal Energy project are pioneering ways to generate clean energy from the sea. These initiatives not only aim to reduce carbon emissions but also create jobs in construction, maintenance, and operations.

For more details and updates on these and other projects, check out the Marine Energy Wales website. It’s a good resource if you’re interested in the field and want to stay informed. Visit the Marine Energy Wales website.

The community in Pembrokeshire generally sees marine renewable energy as a positive step for Pembrokeshire. However, there are concerns about how long these projects actually take to get up and running and the actual benefits to the local economy and wildlife. Many are concerned that it’s “all talk” – and that’s why there are many people pushing for benefits to be realised locally.

The answer is yes, there can be! When companies develop renewable projects they may generate meaningful community benefit for the areas they impact. By ensuring that the needs of the county are high on the agenda of developers, we can push for the most pressing problems to be targetted and resolved.

The best place to look would be on the Marine Energy Wales website or by signing up to their monthly newsletter! You can also follow Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum or Marine Energy Wales on LinkedIn (PCF, MEW), X (PCF, MEW) and Facebook (PCF).

France has a more established track record with marine renewables, which some believe has led to better integration and benefits. The UK is still catching up, but we can learn from France’s experience to improve our own efforts.

MPAs and SACs are protected under UK laws, like the Marine and Coastal Access Act, which aim to preserve their natural features. Before any FLOW projects can start, developers must complete environmental studies to ensure they don’t harm these areas. Interestingly, FLOW turbines often create no-fishing zones, which can help protect the seabed by stopping harmful activities like bottom trawling and dredging. This unintended benefit could help restore marine ecosystems over time.

By creating areas where dredging and trawling can’t happen, FLOW developments could allow seabeds to recover. This can lead to healthier marine ecosystems, with more wildlife and better carbon storage in the seabed. Recovery speeds vary depending on how damaged the area was, but some places could see significant improvements within 5–10 years.

However, this may impact fishing communities by limiting access to certain areas they have always relied on. Balancing these needs will require careful planning and discussions to explore ways to support fishers as these changes unfold.

At the moment, there are no full-scale commercial FLOW farms, but smaller test projects, like Hywind Scotland (2017) and Kincardine (2021), are up and running. These projects have helped developers and regulators learn how to use the technology and reduce its environmental impact. They’ve also shown that the UK needs better ports and supply chains to handle larger FLOW projects and bring more jobs to the country.

Before FLOW sites are approved, environmental studies assess potential risks to birds like shearwaters. Developers aim to reduce harm by choosing locations away from sensitive habitats, spacing turbines apart, and adjusting how turbines operate to protect wildlife. For example, shearwaters usually fly close to the ocean’s surface, so they’re less likely to collide with turbine blades.

Tidal energy is reliable and predictable, with projects in Wales showing it’s close to becoming commercially viable. It could generate up to 10–11% of the UK’s energy. Wave energy is less predictable but has potential. Both could work alongside wind and solar to create a more balanced energy mix, though wave energy technology still needs more testing before it can be widely used.

Ocean acidification happens when carbon dioxide (CO2) levels rise in the atmosphere and more of it is absorbed by the ocean. Marine renewables, like offshore wind, help by reducing CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. This slows the build-up of carbon in the ocean and helps protect marine life.

Anchors and mooring systems for wind turbines can damage the seabed, especially in fragile habitats like seagrass meadows. To reduce this impact, developers choose designs that minimise contact with the seabed, carefully selecting the right type of anchor for each location.

Yes, project development areas are primarily chosen based on suitable water depths (50-200m), wind resource, avoiding marine protected areas and proximity to grid connections. The Crown Estate project areas based on world-leading spatial planning evidence from the Marine Data Exchange . Expanding zones would increase the number of turbines operating but will need to balance environmental considerations, other interests, and economic feasibility. The Crown Estate has committed to further projects in the Celtic Sea in the future.

The UK government is working to balance energy security, cutting carbon emissions, and protecting biodiversity. Plans like the Offshore Wind Sector Deal and the Net Zero Strategy show a commitment to renewable energy while protecting ecosystems. Programmes like The Crown Estate’s Marine Delivery Routemap aim to ensure offshore wind projects consider both environmental and community impacts.

The evidence base for balancing renewable energy development with biodiversity goals is growing. Tools like Marine Net Gain aim to ensure projects benefit nature as well as meet energy goals. Future policies will need to adapt as more is learned, especially for areas like the Celtic Sea where environmental and social factors are unique.

FLOW projects can highlight their benefits by protecting marine ecosystems (e.g., creating artificial reefs), reducing carbon emissions, and boosting local economies through job creation. Sharing these successes with communities and involving local stakeholders will help showcase their positive impact.

FLOW has the potential to benefit marine ecosystems by creating habitats for marine life, like artificial reefs, but it’s important to monitor long-term changes. Research shows some impacts, like shifts in fish populations or bird migration patterns, can be managed. Over time, FLOW can play a role in both protecting nature and producing renewable energy.

FLOW projects in the Celtic Sea are expected to grow in the 2030s, with a UK government target of 5GW of floating wind capacity by 2050. To get involved, you can explore careers in engineering, project management, or community engagement, or sign up for training programmes. Joining newsletters like Marine Energy Wales newsletter can keep you informed about opportunities in this growing sector.

Find out more about careers here.

Yes, you can download the Marine Code app to use in Pembrokeshire to log marine animal sightings.

To stay updated on marine energy events in Pembrokeshire, you can sign up for Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum Newsletter and Marine Energy Wales Newsletter, which share information about upcoming events, community outreach, and marine energy developments.

Yes! Clear visuals can make it easier to understand how marine energy technology works. Our toolkit includes diagrams showing floating wind turbines, their size, and how they compare to other structures. toolkit resources.

Marine renewable energy could bring many new job opportunities to Pembrokeshire, from building and maintaining turbines to research and monitoring. Local communities could also benefit from new infrastructure and investment. However, for these benefits to be realised, more work is needed to improve local ports, attract investment, and build a strong supply chain.

Pembrokeshire is already involved in exciting marine energy projects, like the Marine Energy Test Area, part of Pembroke Dock Marine. These projects focus on testing and developing technologies such as floating offshore wind and wave energy devices. To get involved, you can attend local events, take part in community consultations, or explore job and volunteer opportunities with organisations in the sector. Stay informed by following updates from Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum and Marine Energy Wales.