The Pembrokeshire Herald: Tufnell presses Chancellor on future of Pembrokeshire’s energy industry.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S position at the heart of the UK’s energy industry must be protected and strengthened as Britain moves towards a new energy future, Henry Tufnell MP has said following a high-profile government visit to the Port of Milford Haven.

The Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP said he used the Chancellor’s visit to make the case directly for continued UK Government support for the county’s strategically important energy sector, including both its existing industries and opportunities for future growth.

Mr Tufnell said the Milford Haven Waterway’s concentration of major energy infrastructure means decisions taken in Westminster over the coming years will have significant consequences for jobs, investment and communities across Pembrokeshire.

Following the visit, he said: “It was fantastic to welcome the Chancellor to the Port of Milford Haven and showcase how Pembrokeshire powers Britain.”

He highlighted the scale of the existing energy cluster around the Haven, which includes an oil refinery, a gas-fired power station, two LNG terminals and fuel storage facilities.

According to Mr Tufnell, the port supplies around 20% of the UK’s energy demand.

He added: “I made it clear to the Chancellor that Pembrokeshire must continue to play this important role and be supported by the UK Government to grow.

“I will keep pressing this point in Parliament to protect existing well-paid jobs, deliver new jobs, and to secure our energy independence.”

Strategic importance of Milford Haven

The comments underline the significance being placed on the Milford Haven Waterway as the UK attempts to balance energy security with the transition towards lower-carbon sources of power.

The Haven is already one of Britain’s most important energy gateways, with substantial oil, gas and electricity infrastructure concentrated along the waterway.

Its two LNG terminals have also reinforced Milford Haven’s importance to UK energy security, providing infrastructure through which imported liquefied natural gas can enter the national network.

At the same time, Pembrokeshire is increasingly being promoted as a potential centre for the next generation of energy projects, including developments associated with offshore renewable energy and the Celtic Sea.

For the county, however, the political challenge will be ensuring that the transition brings substantial employment and investment locally rather than simply replacing existing industries without providing comparable jobs.

Port makes its case to government

The Port of Milford Haven has also stressed that its role extends beyond the immediate operation of the Waterway.

Speaking following the visit, the Port said it had welcomed the opportunity to explain the contribution Milford Haven makes to the UK’s energy security, economy and national resilience.

It described itself as the UK’s leading energy port and said the surrounding energy cluster helps power homes, businesses and industry while supporting employment, trade and investment throughout Pembrokeshire and West Wales.

Port representatives also highlighted its status as a Trust Port and the work it undertakes with schools, charities, young people and community organisations.

The visit therefore provided an opportunity not only to discuss the national importance of Milford Haven’s energy infrastructure but also the economic benefits which flow from the industry into the wider county.

Focus turns to what comes next

Mr Tufnell’s intervention will inevitably raise questions about what additional government support could now follow the ministerial visit.

Pembrokeshire has long been one of Wales’ most strategically important industrial areas, despite its relatively small population, because of the concentration of energy infrastructure surrounding the Haven.

The emerging Celtic Sea renewable energy sector has meanwhile created expectations of another substantial period of investment, with ports and coastal communities hoping to secure construction, engineering, maintenance and supply-chain work.

For local politicians and businesses, one of the key tests will be how much of that economic activity remains in West Wales.

There is also the question of how existing skilled workers and industries fit into the transition.

Mr Tufnell’s emphasis on protecting “existing well-paid jobs” is significant. While considerable attention has been given to the employment which could eventually be generated by new energy technologies, established oil, gas and power operations continue to support skilled employment and businesses across Pembrokeshire.

His position appears to be that the county should not have to choose between its existing energy economy and the industries of the future.

Instead, he is calling for government backing which allows Pembrokeshire to build upon the industrial expertise, port facilities and infrastructure already present around Milford Haven.

A bigger role for Pembrokeshire

The visit comes as wider political attention increasingly turns towards the distribution of economic power and investment across Wales.

For Pembrokeshire, the argument being advanced is straightforward: a county which already makes a substantial contribution to Britain’s energy security should receive the investment necessary to remain an important part of that system as it changes.

Mr Tufnell has now pledged to continue making that case in Parliament.

With major decisions over energy infrastructure, renewable development and industrial investment expected in the years ahead, the practical measure of success will be whether the political attention currently focused on Milford Haven translates into projects, investment and secure, well-paid employment on the ground.

For Pembrokeshire, that is likely to matter considerably more than the ministerial photographs.