Welsh Government launches ports prospectus highlighting Swansea, Port Talbot and Milford Haven in offshore wind push

The Welsh Government today (Tuesday 7 October) launches its Ports Prospectus at the Future Energy Wales conference in Newport, setting out how the nation’s coastline and industrial heritage can underpin the UK’s clean energy revolution.

Economy, Energy and Planning Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans said offshore wind could create 29,000 jobs, generate £4.5bn for the economy and power more than four million homes across Wales by 2030. Capacity is forecast to exceed 20 gigawatts by 2045.

Swansea and Port Talbot

Associated British Ports (ABP) said its Swansea and Port Talbot sites were “uniquely placed” to support both fixed‑bottom and floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. Ashley Curnow, ABP’s divisional port manager for Wales and the South West, said the ports’ proximity to development areas, large areas of developable land and strong transport links made them ideal to provide the infrastructure and supply chain capability needed.

Milford Haven and Celtic Freeport

At the Port of Milford Haven, chief executive Tom Sawyer said Pembroke Port offered a “prime gateway” to floating offshore wind, boosted by the investment incentives of the Celtic Freeport, which spans Port Talbot and Pembroke Dock. He said the port was ready to support the build‑out of floating offshore wind (FLOW) and anchor a world‑class supply chain in Wales.

Celtic Freeport chief executive Luciana Ciubotariu added:

“The Welsh Ports Prospectus rightly highlights the scale of opportunity for Wales in floating offshore wind, building on the momentum of The Crown Estate’s recent Celtic Sea leasing round. Celtic Freeport is advancing FLOW terminal capacity and supply chain opportunities at Pembroke Dock and Port Talbot.”

National context

The prospectus also highlights opportunities off north Wales, where more than 500 turbines have already been deployed from the Port of Mostyn.

Rebecca Evans said: “Wales stands at the heart of the clean energy transition – with a coastline that delivers natural deep‑water harbours, proximity to major wind lease zones, and an agile, ready‑to‑scale supply chain we represent one of Europe’s most strategic locations for offshore wind development.”

Next steps

The Welsh Government said its Freeports in south west and north Wales provide investors with tax incentives, streamlined customs processes and development‑ready sites, alongside investment in renewable energy skills.

The Ports Prospectus will now be used to showcase Wales’ offer to global investors as the Celtic Sea leasing round gathers pace.

Related Articles

More on Celtic Freeport and Wales’ offshore wind opportunity:

• Economy Minister congratulates Celtic Freeport consortium on winning bid
  Vaughan Gething hails Port Talbot and Milford Haven’s successful freeport bid, expected to create thousands of green jobs.
• Neath Port Talbot councillors approve next stages in 16,000‑job Celtic Freeport project
  Council signs off on governance and funding steps to progress the transformational freeport scheme.
• Crown Estate funds new offshore wind supply chain programme in South Wales
  £100k programme to boost SMEs in the Swansea Bay City Region reignites calls for devolution of the Crown Estate.
• Swansea, Port Talbot and Milford Haven ports in running for huge offshore wind contracts
  Welsh ports shortlisted as potential assembly hubs for floating wind turbines in the Celtic Sea.

#AssociatedBritishPorts #CelticFreeport #CelticSea #FutureEnergyWales #MilfordHaven #offshoreWind #PortOfMilfordHaven #RebeccaEvansMS #Swansea #WelshGovernment #WindPower #windTurbines

Welsh Government writes off £1.6m after failed Porthcawl Maritime Centre project

The Welsh Government has formally written off more than £1.6 million in public funding after a planned Maritime Centre in Porthcawl collapsed without being built.

A new report from Audit Wales found “basic failings” in the way the project was managed, concluding that warning signs and opportunities to limit the loss were missed.

The centre — planned for the harbourside — was intended to include a coastal science and discovery hub, well‑being facilities, a café and restaurant, group accommodation and events space. It was promoted as a flagship attraction to boost tourism, celebrate maritime heritage and support regeneration.

Funding and collapse

In 2016 and 2017, the Welsh Government approved up to £2.7 million for the scheme, combining European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support with domestic match funding.

The project was led by Credu Charity Ltd, working with Bridgend County Borough Council. Between May 2016 and March 2020, £1.6 million was paid to Credu.

By August 2020, amid concerns over rising costs and slow progress, the Welsh Government withdrew ERDF funding and sought to recover the grants. In November that year, Credu entered voluntary liquidation and the Maritime Centre was never built.

A police investigation into matters relating to the project concluded in 2024 with no charges brought. Audit Wales says it is unlikely any of the £1.6 million will be recovered.

Oversight criticised

Audit Wales found a lack of clarity over roles between the Welsh European Funding Office and Visit Wales, ineffective monitoring, and late or insufficient due diligence. Public money was committed before full match funding was secured, and controls over expenditure claims were described as weak.

Auditor General Adrian Crompton said:

“While time has passed since the events described in this report, there were basic failings in this case and the lessons from it remain relevant today.”

In a written statement to the Senedd, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans confirmed the write‑off, describing the loss as a “Claims Waived and Abandoned” entry in line with public money rules. She said lessons from the case had informed stronger pre‑payment checks, earlier risk identification and tighter expenditure controls.

Political reaction

Welsh Conservative finance spokesperson Sam Rowlands MS called the loss “another colossal waste of taxpayers’ money” and said the Auditor General’s review showed the Welsh Government “did not put proper arrangements in place to manage the risks”.

The Welsh Government said it accepted Audit Wales’ conclusions and noted that “ultimate reasons for the Maritime Centre’s failure were complicated and outside the scope of this report”.

Funds originally earmarked for the Maritime Centre were reallocated to Bridgend Council for a smaller development at Cosy Corner, which has since opened to house local retail and start‑up businesses.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Politicians have a whale of a time at Porthcawl’s Cosy Corner
Local leaders celebrate completion of new seafront development.

Public urged to avoid Porthcawl funfair after ride accident
Safety concerns raised following incident at a popular attraction.

Sauna start‑up steams ahead in Porthcawl with Business Wales support
Wellness venture gains momentum on the South Wales coast.

Coney Beach Amusement Park to close after more than 100 years in Porthcawl
End of an era for beloved seaside institution.

#AuditWales #BridgendCountyBoroughCouncil #CosyCorner #CreduCharityLtd #ERDF #EuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund #Porthcawl #PorthcawlMaritimeCentre #RebeccaEvansMS #VisitWales #WelshEuropeanFundingOffice #WelshGovernment

Cross Hands business to give old tyres a new life

Tuf Treads will save old tyres from landfill by using them to produce premium re-treaded tyres using latest manufacturing technology. Re-treading gives suitable tyres a new start once the original tread is worn away.

Based at Cross Hands Strategic Employment Site, the new factory will see 30 new jobs created.

It is backed by £400k from the Economy Futures Fund and £220k Circular Economy Funding from the Welsh Government.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “This new facility will fill a gap in the market for the successful Tuf Treads – saving up to 30kg of rubber, 20kg of steel and 60kg of CO2 from landfill each time a truck or bus tyre is re-treaded.

“The innovative and sustainable nature of this service is exactly the sort of business practice we want to support as we nurture a greener economy based around the industries of the future.

“It will also create good quality jobs, helping to drive prosperity and equip people with the right skills for our changing world.”

Tuf Treads Director Dan Rees said: “As a proud Welsh company, Tuf Treads is delighted to have been able to grow its business over recent years. We are grateful for Welsh Government’s contribution to our £3m plus investment in our new factory in Cross Hands.

“We will be the leading manufacturers of first-class, retreaded tyres in Wales. However, for us, this isn’t just about developing the business. Importantly it is also about creating new, skilled jobs within the local community and helping to grow the Welsh economy.

“Equally significant is the way in which our new initiative helps Wales fulfil its net zero commitments by producing high quality tyres from recycled, used tyres that otherwise would be in landfill.

“As a local Pontyberem man, I’m committed to doing all I can to help our communities here and across Wales flourish and thrive.” 

#Business #Carmarthenshire #CrossHands #Environment #RebeccaEvansMS #Recycling #tyres #WelshGovernment