The establishment of innovative companies for green and marine energy by specialist green energy companies like Haush demonstrates Pembroke Dock’s ongoing commitment to scientific advancement, building on its long history of maritime and aviation innovation.
Offshore Wind Energy
Pembroke Dock has become increasingly involved in the development and support of offshore wind energy projects. The Irish Sea and the waters around Wales offer excellent conditions for offshore wind farms due to consistent high winds and relatively shallow waters.
Specific Initiatives:
-
Celtic Sea Cluster:
Pembroke Dock is part of the Celtic Sea Cluster, an initiative aimed at developing large-scale offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea, with the potential to generate up to 4 GW of electricity by 2030. The Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind projects plan to utilize floating wind turbine technology to access deeper waters further offshore, where wind speeds are higher.
-
Port Infrastructure Development:
Pembroke Dock’s historic shipbuilding facilities are being repurposed to support green energy and offshore wind energy development. There has been significant investment in upgrading the dock’s infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the offshore wind industry, including the assembly, deployment, and maintenance of large wind turbines. Pembroke Port is at the centre for green hydrogen production with Haush.
-
Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone:
Close to Pembroke Dock is the Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone, a designated area for testing new marine renewable energy technologies, including floating wind turbines. The zone allows developers to trial their designs in real-world conditions before scaling up for commercial deployment.
Solar Energy
While solar energy is not as significant in Pembroke Dock as wind or tidal energy, there have been developments in solar energy projects, primarily in the form of large-scale solar farms and the integration of solar panels into existing infrastructure.
Specific Initiatives:
-
Solar Farms in Pembrokeshire:
Surrounding areas have seen the installation of solar farms, capitalising on the region’s potential for renewable energy diversification. While Pembroke Dock itself is more focused on marine and wind energy, nearby solar developments like Shawton Energy 8.6MW (14,000 panels) contribute to the overall green energy mix in Pembrokeshire.
-
Solar Integration with Marine Energy:
In some proposals for renewable energy hubs at Pembroke Dock, there have been discussions about integrating solar power into offshore platforms that support wind turbines or tidal energy devices. This would allow for a more consistent energy output by combining multiple renewable sources on a single platform.
Tidal Energy
Tidal energy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources being explored at Pembroke Dock, due to its location on the Milford Haven Waterway, which experiences strong tidal flows. This makes it ideal for harnessing tidal power, with several projects in development.
Specific Initiatives:
-
Marine Energy Wales:
Pembroke Dock is a focal point for Marine Energy Wales, a collaborative initiative that brings together public and private sector partners to advance marine renewable energy projects in Wales. The aim is to establish Wales as a global leader in marine energy, with Pembroke Dock serving as a hub for tidal energy research and development.
-
Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone:
Besides floating wind, the Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone is also used to test tidal energy devices. The zone allows developers to trial different tidal energy converters in real marine conditions, accelerating the development of viable technologies.
-
Potential for Tidal Lagoons:
Though not yet realized, there has been discussion about the feasibility of tidal lagoons in the Milford Haven area, which could generate large amounts of renewable energy by capturing the rise and fall of tidal waters in a controlled manner. A proposed Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon nearby has sparked interest in using similar technology in Pembroke Dock.
Hydrogen Production via Electrolysis
Pembroke Dock is also positioning itself at the forefront of the emerging hydrogen economy, particularly through the production of green hydrogen using electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Green hydrogen, produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, is seen as a key component of decarbonizing industries and heavy transport.
Specific Initiatives:
-
Pembroke Net Zero Centre (PNZC):
Pembroke Dock is part of the wider Pembroke Net Zero Centre initiative, led by RWE, one of Europe’s largest renewable energy companies. This center aims to integrate various forms of renewable energy, including offshore wind and green hydrogen production. The plan involves using electricity generated by local wind farms to power electrolyzers that will produce hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be stored or transported for use in industry, transport, and energy storage.
-
Hydrogen Hub:
Pembroke Dock is also a Hydrogen Hub, a project that aims to create an integrated green hydrogen production and distribution system in South Wales. The hub would focus on producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources and supplying it to local industries, reducing their carbon emissions and supporting the transition to a hydrogen-based economy. Haush is at the forefront of this development with it 15MW Green Hydrogen production of up to 6,000 kg/day, with a Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS) refilling FCEVsand HICE vehicles and CHP Generators with pressurised hydrogen.
-
Hydrogen Storage and Transportation:
Pembroke Dock’s existing port infrastructure and proximity to key industrial areas make it a logical site for hydrogen storage and transportation facilities. The potential to use the hydrogen produced locally for fuelling ships, heavy-duty vehicles, or even exporting to other regions is being explored as part of the Haush local strategy.
Pembroke Dock is playing an increasingly central role in the development of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, tidal energy, and green hydrogen production. The area’s historic maritime infrastructure, combined with its strategic location and strong tidal and wind resources, makes it an ideal hub for innovation in the green energy sector.
-
Offshore Wind:
Pembroke Dock is positioning itself as a key staging point for the assembly and deployment of floating wind farms in the Celtic Sea.
-
Tidal Energy:
The region is a leader in tidal energy research and development, with the Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone playing a crucial role in testing new technologies.
-
Hydrogen Production:
With its proximity to renewable energy sources, Pembroke Dock is well-suited to become a hub for green hydrogen production through electrolysis, where Haush is driving and supporting the future hydrogen economy in Wales.
Together, these initiatives by Haush and other Green Energy Companies are helping Pembroke Dock transform from its historical role as a naval shipyard to a modern centre of renewable energy innovation, contributing to the UK’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The establishment of testing and research facilities for marine energy demonstrates Pembroke Dock’s ongoing commitment to scientific advancement, building on its long history of maritime and aviation innovation.
The post Pembroke Dock’s Scientific Advancement and Green Energies first appeared on Haush.