Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, a long-standing supporter of the local energy sector, led a 90-minute debate in Parliament on Wednesday 18th October on the role of Ports in delivering green energy.
Mr Crabb used the opportunity to highlight the key role that The Port of Milford Haven, and the whole of the Milford Haven Waterway will play in the UK’s green energy shift with Floating Offshore Wind power and hydrogen set to take centre stage.
The cross-party debate was well attended by MPs representing different coastal and port communities across the whole of The United Kingdom where different types of new renewable technology will be developed.
Mr Crabb also emphasised the hard work that went into securing the Celtic Freeport which will bring investment and job opportunities to Milford Haven.
The Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, The Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP, ended his final speech of the debate with a commitment to visit Pembrokeshire soon and engage with the range of energy companies situated along the Milford Haven Waterway.
Following the debate, MP Crabb commented:
“It was brilliant to see so many cross-party colleagues from different stretches of the UK coastline contributing to the debate and recognising the importance of Ports in helping to deliver the net zero agenda.”
“Ports are engines for local economic renewal, and this cannot ring truer of the Port of Milford Haven where Port investment has boosted the local economy and created local job opportunities.”
“I am pleased that the Minister has publicly committed to visiting Pembrokeshire. It is so important for the Minister to see first-hand the thriving energy sector that we have locally along the Waterway and the key contribution it will make to decarbonisation. I will be following up with the Minister’s office to secure a date.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO of The Port of Milford Haven added:
“It was good to see so many MPs from different parties talking about the role of Ports in helping to meet UK Government net zero ambitions. We are pleased that there was such a strong focus on the Port of Milford Haven and the exciting plans that are being unlocked in the renewable energy sector. It's very welcome that there is a clear understanding of the imperative to develop 24 gigawatts in the Celtic Sea if UK supply chain content is to be maximised.”
“We are grateful to Stephen Crabb MP for securing this time in parliament to help showcase the ambitions of the Port at a ministerial level.”
You can watch the debate in full here: Parliamentlive.tv - Westminster Hall
