New renewable energy joint venture positions port firmly in renewables sector

Milford Haven Port has staked its claim in the renewables sector with the formation of a brand new joint venture with The Green Electrician Limited, installing renewable energy technology in homes and businesses across South Wales from its base in Pembrokeshire.

The venture – The Green Electrician South Wales – has just completed installing over £1.25 million of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on its buildings, and tenants building across Milford Docks and Pembroke Port as one of its first tasks, reducing the organisation’s carbon footprint by 172,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

The Green Electrician is one of the UK’s most experienced and highly regarded solar PV installers and supplies renewable and energy efficiency technologies across North Wales and North West and Midlands of England. It will be able to support the start-up with its established design office, stock holding, procurement channels and training services to ensure that from the outset, the venture delivers the best and most cost effective installation service in the region.

Commenting on the formation of the joint venture, Alec Don, chief executive of Milford Haven Port, said:

“Renewable energy is now an established, essential and growing part of the UK’s future energy economy. As the UK’s energy port, Milford Haven Port is committed to establishing a substantial presence in all parts of the renewable energy industry.

“This investment in solar panels on our buildings will not only reduce our own carbon footprint, but has underpinned the development of a joint venture with the potential to create seven new skilled jobs in the near future, and a business which can spread throughout South Wales in the coming months.”

Mr Don added that while the recent announcement about changes to the Feed in Tariff is expected to reduce demand in the short term, installation of solar PV panels will continue to be an attractive investment for many, with a high degree of inflation protection built-in. “This will particularly prove to be the case as technology improves and costs reduce, and traditional energy prices rise.”

Rupert Higgin of The Green Electrician, said:

“We are very excited to establish The Green Electrician in South Wales as it builds on the strong base we have created in the north of the country where more than one third of our business is generated. Milford Haven Port is an ideal partner for the business as it is intrinsically linked with energy and the initial contract gives a great platform to extend the benefits of renewable energy across the region.”

As well as becoming involved in PV technology, Milford Haven Port is actively supporting Tidal Energy Limited’s Delta Stream demonstration project in Ramsey Sound, which is currently in contracting stage, as well as the Marine Sector in general, through its funding of Marine Energy Pembrokeshire. Mr Don said: “We are actively pursuing opportunities to be involved in the wind, hydro and biomass sectors of the renewable energy economy.”