Written Statement: Swansea Bay City Deal Pembroke Dock Marine Project

I am now in a position to confirm that the UK and Welsh Governments have agreed to approve the Pembroke Dock Marine project business case.

The Pembroke Dock Marine Swansea Bay City Deal project will create a world-class centre for marine engineering with an immediate focus on low carbon energy. The project is expected to generate more than 1,800 jobs in the next 15 years and to generate £73.5 million a year to the Swansea Bay City Region’s economy.

Pembroke Dock Marine is the Swansea Bay City Deal’s only private sector led project and is made up of four elements:

• The Marine Energy Test Area within the Milford Haven Waterway led by Marine Energy Wales, enabling technology developers to test their marine energy devices close to their base of operation
• The largest facility of its kind in the world, a 90 square kilometre Pembrokeshire Demonstration Zone delivered by Wave Hub Limited that will enable the deployment of future energy generating technologies, including floating wind
• Marine Energy Engineering Centre of Excellence - a technology, innovation and research centre delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult
• Redevelopment of land at Pembroke Dock, led by the Port of Milford Haven, to deliver the infrastructure needed by the industry as it continues to mature

This is a significant step in moving forward the Swansea Bay City Deal and in demonstrating our commitment to the development of a Centre of Excellence for marine technology in Wales.

The Welsh Government will continue to work with partners to deliver the City Deal and this announcement underlines our confidence that the deal can deliver for people living and working in the Swansea Bay City Region.

I will continue to keep Members updated as the Swansea Bay City Deal continues to develop.