Plans to establish a dedicated floating offshore wind (FLOW) storage compound at Pembroke Dock have been approved by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The development, led by the Port of Milford Haven, forms part of the Criterion Quay project and will prepare the site to support the roll-out of FLOW in the Celtic Sea. Disused land west of Criterion Way will be cleared and regraded, creating secure storage areas and laying the groundwork for future marshalling, maintenance and operational facilities.

Located within the Celtic Freeport's Milford Haven Tax Site, the project will contribute to the economic regeneration of Pembroke Dock while providing vital deep-water infrastructure for the expanding offshore energy sector.

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Tom Sawyer, CEO of the Port of Milford Haven and board member of the Celtic Freeport, said: "This is an important step in realising Pembroke Dock’s role at the heart of the UK’s floating offshore wind revolution over the years ahead. The new infrastructure will give FLOW developers the specialist deep-water facilities they need right on the doorstep of the Celtic Sea arrays."

Luciana Ciubotariu, CEO of Celtic Freeport, added: "We welcome this important step forward for Pembroke Dock. This project will bring critical land back into use and provide vital infrastructure to deliver floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. It represents further progress towards building a new industry in Wales that will create jobs, attract investment and support the UK's journey to net zero."

Ben Burggraaf, CEO of Net Zero Industry Wales, said: "The approval of the plan to create a dedicated floating offshore wind (FLOW) storage compound, is a small, but important step in positioning the ports in South Wales at the heart of UK's emerging FLOW industry. This source of wind energy, combined with other sources of low carbon energy generation, will enable Wales to position itself as a leading energy transition hub, while maintaining its position as a cornerstone of the UK's industrial base."