Youghal’s Wooden Sentinels
Groynes in the sand as the water rushes away to do battle with another wave coming in. The ever-present push and pull of the tide, defeated for some time at least by these wooden posts.
Youghal’s Wooden Sentinels
Groynes in the sand as the water rushes away to do battle with another wave coming in. The ever-present push and pull of the tide, defeated for some time at least by these wooden posts....
https://inphotos.org/2026/05/29/youghals-wooden-sentinels/
#Beach #BlueHour #CelticSea #CoastalDefence #Cork #EastCork #Groynes #Ireland #IrishCoast #LandscapePhotography #LongExposure #Photo #Photography #seascape #SlowShutter #tide #WoodenPosts #Youghal
NET ZERO ECONOMY: Pembrokeshire and Port Talbot named among Wales’s top hotspots — but warning Wales is falling behind on £13bn renewables pipeline
Pembrokeshire and Port Talbot have emerged as two of Wales’s leading net zero economic hotspots in major new analysis published today — but campaigners and business leaders are warning Wales is falling behind England and Scotland on building out its £13 billion renewable energy pipeline.
The research, commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) and analysed by CBI Economics and The Data City, found that net zero-related industries now contribute £4 billion in economic value to Wales each year and support more than 41,300 jobs — 4.3% of the country’s total economic output.
Pembrokeshire among top four hotspots
Pembrokeshire has been named among Wales’s top four net zero economic hotspots, with the industry accounting for 5.3% of the county’s local economic output and supporting around 1,600 jobs.
The county’s position is anchored by emerging low-carbon infrastructure including a consented 100 MW green hydrogen facility at the Pembroke Net Zero Centre, alongside battery storage projects and a network of solar installation businesses serving homes and commercial premises across the county.
Pembrokeshire sits alongside Wrexham (7% of local economic output, 2,340 jobs), Rhondda Cynon Taf (5.2%, 2,890 jobs) and Newport (5.1%, 2,620 jobs) as the four areas where the net zero economy is most concentrated.
Port Talbot in the frame for £64m wind investment
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the UK Government was determined to put Wales “at the heart of our clean energy mission” — pointing to £2.5 billion already invested in new nuclear at Wylfa, and up to £64 million committed to support floating offshore wind in Port Talbot.
Ms Stevens said the UK Government was also planning to speed up delivery of major clean energy infrastructure projects by “protecting them from legal challenges and delays.”
“The UK Government recognises the key role that the Welsh clean energy industry plays in boosting the country’s economic growth, securing our energy independence, bringing down household bills, and supporting over 40,000 jobs in Wales,” she said.
Higher-paid, higher-productivity jobs
The ECIU/CBI analysis also found that workers in the Welsh net zero economy are significantly more productive than the national average — generating £117,500 in economic value per worker, around 1.7 times the wider Welsh average.
That translates into higher wages. Average salaries in the sector are £39,812 — around 11% above the Welsh industry average of £35,796.
The jobs are spread across energy generation, manufacturing, construction, engineering and professional services, from solar panel installers to electric vehicle charging companies. Around 160 firms across Wales are now involved in heat pumps and other renewable heating technologies.
1,300 businesses — most of them small
The report identifies more than 1,300 net zero businesses now operating across Wales, with 87% of them small or medium-sized enterprises. Around one in six (15%) have started up within the past five years.
Russell Greenslade, CBI Wales Director, said the report underlined how central the net zero economy now is to Wales’s future prosperity.
“With our unique natural assets, strength in advanced manufacturing and well-established supply chains, we’ve long known that the net zero economy presents a major commercial opportunity for Wales,” he said.
“From onshore and offshore wind to carbon capture and emerging clean technologies, Wales can be at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition, with high-value, highly productive jobs created in every part of the country.
“The UK and Welsh Governments must now work in partnership with business to seize that opportunity. That means creating a stable, competitive business environment and investing in the skills that will enable Welsh workers to thrive in the energy transition.”
Warning: “Wales has slipped behind”
But the report carries a clear warning: Wales risks falling further behind England and Scotland unless renewable energy build-out is accelerated.
Peter Chalkley, Director of the ECIU, said hundreds of small businesses are driving the Welsh net zero economy forward — “installing heat pumps and solar panels, developing smart software for charging EVs and producing green hydrogen.”
But he warned that “Wales has slipped behind England and Scotland in its construction of renewable energy set against the backdrop of the US Iran conflict and the second oil and gas price crisis in just a matter of years.”
“With countries and states covering 84% of the global economy committed to net zero, Wales is very much part of a global race to build competitive, clean industries,” he said.
“This means there is real jeopardy for jobs and livelihoods if politics and policy shift and Wales starts to fall behind — standing still is unfortunately a recipe for decline.”
£13.1 billion pipeline at risk
The analysis identifies a potential £13.1 billion renewable energy generation infrastructure pipeline in Wales, representing 10.9 gigawatts of capacity — but warns that not all of this is yet guaranteed to be built.
The figure reflects the scale of investment that could flow into Welsh communities including Pembroke, Port Talbot, Milford Haven and Swansea Bay over the coming decade if delivery accelerates — and the scale of the opportunity that could be missed if it does not.
The new Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government, which took office earlier this month following the May 2026 Senedd election, has set out clean energy as a central plank of its economic strategy. The UK Government and the new Welsh Government must now align on delivery timetables for the major projects that will determine whether the £13 billion pipeline turns into real jobs and infrastructure on the ground.
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PORT TALBOT POWER PLAY: £64m wind hub plan promises 5,000 jobs in major shake-up
A £64 million plan to turn Port Talbot into a floating offshore wind hub has been unveiled — with ministers promising thousands of jobs and a major boost for South Wales.
The UK Government says the funding will help develop the port into a base for a new generation of wind farms in the Celtic Sea, capable of powering millions of homes.
But while the announcement is being hailed as a breakthrough, the reality is that Port Talbot has been edging towards this role for some time.
Previous studies have already explored how floating wind turbines could be launched from the town’s docks, while earlier reports have highlighted how ports across South Wales — including Swansea and Milford Haven — are competing for a slice of the emerging industry.
This latest funding is aimed at pushing Port Talbot to the front of that race.
The money will go to Associated British Ports (ABP) to carry out detailed design and engineering work needed to handle floating turbines — huge structures assembled onshore before being towed out to sea.
Artist’s impression of ABP’s vision for Port Talbot Harbour and the construction of massive floating wind turbines.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the project puts Wales “at the heart” of the UK’s clean energy push.
He added:
“With its deep waters and strong winds, we are supporting Wales to storm ahead in floating offshore wind — a pioneering industry that will support thousands of good jobs and unlock the next generation of clean, homegrown power.”
The Celtic Sea is seen as one of the best locations in Europe for floating wind, with the potential to generate at least 4.5GW of electricity — enough to power around 6.5 million homes.
For Port Talbot, the headline figure will be jobs, with up to 5,000 roles linked to the development if projects progress as expected.
But that depends on future investment decisions, and for now the funding is focused on planning rather than construction.
Henrik Pedersen, chief executive of ABP, said the agreement marked “real progress” towards making the port a key part of the industry.
He said:
“This development would drive industrial regeneration, support thousands of skilled jobs and ensure Wales captures the full economic benefit of this emerging sector.”
Ministers have also linked the investment to wider global tensions and rising energy costs.
The UK Government said recent conflict in the Middle East had exposed how vulnerable households and businesses remain to volatile fossil fuel markets beyond the UK’s control.
They argue that projects like floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea are key to “taking back control” of energy supply — while helping to bring down bills in the long term.
Funding for Port Talbot, they say, is part of a wider shift towards clean, homegrown power — while also bringing jobs and new industries to South Wales.
he Welsh Liberal Democrats have warned that Labour are missing a golden opportunity to create a local industrial supply chain.
Welsh Liberal Democrat, David Chadwick MP sounded a note of caution however.
He said:
“Any job creation is a positive step for Port Talbot, but Labour need to be honest about what this actually contains.
“These turbines are set to be built using imported steel and only assembled locally, not manufactured. This means much of the real economic value will still go elsewhere.
“We should be using projects like this to back Welsh industry, strengthen our local supply chains, and create long-term skilled jobs here in Wales, not just host the final stage.”
The announcement comes as Port Talbot continues to reshape its identity following major changes at the steelworks.
The UK Government has already backed a new electric arc furnace and committed funding to support workers and businesses through the transition.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said the latest investment “heralds the next chapter” for the town.
She added:
“This is a significant moment for Port Talbot and a major step forward for the growing clean energy industry in Wales.”
There are also wider ambitions to turn the area into a clean energy hub, with the Celtic Freeport and offshore wind developments forming part of a bigger picture.
However, questions remain about how quickly those ambitions will translate into real-world change.
Despite the scale of the announcement, there is no confirmed timeline for construction, and final approvals are still needed before work can begin.
And while Port Talbot has been tipped before as a key player in offshore wind — including being linked to major Celtic Sea projects and infrastructure studies — large-scale developments have yet to materialise.
The project is also part of a wider and increasingly competitive race, with other ports in South Wales pushing hard to secure contracts linked to the booming offshore wind sector.
For now, ministers argue the investment is about more than just jobs — pointing to the need for greater energy security following global instability.
But for many locally, the key question will be simpler: when — and if — the promised benefits actually arrive.
After years of big regeneration pledges, there will be cautious optimism — but also a sense that the real test is still to come.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Port Talbot tipped for key role as third Celtic Sea wind farm confirmed
Earlier plans showed how the town could play a central role in major offshore wind projects off the Welsh coast.
Welsh Government highlights Port Talbot in offshore wind push
A national strategy identified Port Talbot as a key location for supporting the next generation of wind energy.
Ports battle for huge offshore wind contracts
Competition between South Wales ports has been heating up as firms eye lucrative construction deals.
Study launched into floating wind turbine deployment
Research into how turbines could be launched from Port Talbot highlights the scale of infrastructure needed.
Pembrokeshire wins big as record UK offshore wind auction secures Erebus in Celtic Sea
The UK Government says the auction has delivered 8.4GW of new offshore wind, enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of 12 million homes. Ministers say the result puts Britain “firmly on track” for clean power by 2030 and marks a major shift away from volatile global gas markets.
Erebus — backed by Great British Energy and the National Wealth Fund — is one of the first commercial‑scale floating wind farms in the world and a flagship project for the Celtic Sea. Awel y Môr, off the coast of North Wales, also secured a contract.
The government says the round will unlock £22 billion in private investment and support around 7,000 skilled jobs across the UK, with Pembrokeshire expected to benefit from port upgrades, fabrication work and long‑term maintenance roles.
Welsh Secretary: “Huge news for Pembrokeshire”
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said:
Today’s announcement is huge news for Pembrokeshire and North Wales. It is a massive vote of confidence in Wales’ clean energy industry which is already delivering the well‑paid, highly‑skilled jobs of the future with the potential to bring thousands more.
These new projects in the seas off Wales will help secure our energy supply and bring down bills for good.
Map showing the planned location of the Erebus floating wind farm in the Celtic Sea, off the Pembrokeshire coast. (Image: Blue Gem Wind)Offshore wind “40% cheaper than gas”, says UK Government
The government says the strike price agreed for fixed offshore wind — £90.91 per megawatt hour — is around 40% cheaper than the cost of building and running a new gas power station.
Ministers say the auction is a dramatic turnaround after the previous round failed to secure a single offshore wind project.
Energy Secretary calls result a “historic win”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
With these results, Britain is taking back control of our energy sovereignty. This is a historic win for those who want Britain to stand on our own two feet, controlling our own energy rather than depending on markets controlled by petrostates and dictators.
It is a monumental step towards clean power by 2030 and the price secured in this auction is 40% lower than the alternative cost of building and operating a new gas plant.
Clean, homegrown power is the right choice for this country to bring down bills for good and this auction will create thousands of jobs throughout Britain.
‘Vital for jobs’ says Swansea MP
Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West, said:
“This is huge news for South West Wales, vital for jobs from Port Talbot right across to Pembrokeshire. It comes straight after the confirmation that Wylfa will house the UK’s first nuclear SMRs – two Labour government’s delivering the biggest industrial investment in North Wales for a generation.
He added that there was “clearly huge potential for Wales to enter a new era of green energy jobs/investment”.
Industry welcomes the result — but warns the job isn’t done
While the scale of the auction has been widely praised, industry figures say the sector is “relieved rather than triumphant”.
Analysts warn that rising costs, supply‑chain bottlenecks and grid delays still pose risks for future projects.
One senior renewables consultant said the auction was a “big step forward” but stressed that developers “need long‑term certainty” to keep investment flowing into the Celtic Sea.
Celtic Sea tipped as “the next big frontier”
Energy experts say the Celtic Sea could become one of the UK’s most important clean‑power hubs, with floating wind expected to expand rapidly over the next decade.
Pembrokeshire’s deep‑water port facilities, fabrication yards and existing energy infrastructure are seen as key advantages as the region positions itself at the centre of the UK’s next offshore wind boom.
The government says today’s auction marks a major step towards reducing reliance on global gas markets, which have driven up household bills in recent years.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Crown Estate funds new offshore wind supply chain programme in South Wales
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Port Talbot tipped for key role as third Celtic Sea wind farm confirmed
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Port Talbot tipped for key role as third Celtic Sea wind farm confirmed
The decision completes the trio of sites awarded under the UK’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, joining projects already secured by Equinor and Gwynt Glas earlier this year. Together, the three floating wind farms are expected to generate enough clean energy to power more than four million homes.
Port Talbot in the spotlight
Ports including Port Talbot and Bristol have already been identified as front‑running candidates for turbine assembly and deployment. With deep‑water access and existing industrial infrastructure, Port Talbot is seen as a natural hub for the heavy engineering and logistics required to deliver floating offshore wind at scale.
Local leaders have long argued that investment in the Celtic Sea must translate into jobs and training opportunities in South Wales. Under Round 5 rules, developers must ensure at least 3.5% of their workforce are apprentices and that 10% of employees aged 19–24 are not in education, employment or training, opening the door for significant opportunities in Neath Port Talbot.
Welsh Government hails investment
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said the certainty over all three sites “will help unlock investment from ports, manufacturing companies and skills providers,” adding that Wales is now “at the global forefront of the offshore wind sector.”
Industry groups including RenewableUK and the British Ports Association welcomed the announcement, saying it positions Wales and the South West of England at “the cutting edge” of a sector that could support nearly 100,000 UK jobs by 2050.
Ocean Winds brings global experience
Ocean Winds, described as a world leader in floating wind technology, has already delivered the WindFloat Atlantic project in Portugal and operates major UK wind farms including Moray East and Moray West.
The Crown Estate said it had taken steps to “derisk” Round 5 for developers, including grid connection plans with the National Energy System Operator and extensive technical and environmental surveys.
What happens next
Ocean Winds and the Crown Estate will now work towards finalising an Agreement for Lease by spring 2026, allowing development work to advance.
For Port Talbot, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether the town secures a central role in turbine assembly and deployment – a move that could bring hundreds of skilled jobs and billions of pounds of investment to the local economy.
#britishPortsAssociation #celticSea #crownEstate #energy #equinor #floatingWindFarm #gwyntGlas #industry #oceanWinds #offshoreWind #portTalbot #rebeccaEvansMs #renewableuk #windPower #windfloatAtlantic
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