Latest news with #CrownEstate
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
New plan could power Wales to top of offshore wind industry
The action plan, developed by a dedicated task group, aims to unlock long-term economic and environmental benefits by building on Wales' growing pipeline of more than 15GW of offshore wind projects in surrounding waters. The sector could deliver up to £4.8 billion for Welsh businesses and create more than 3,000 jobs. Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: "Last week, we welcomed the announcement that offshore wind in the Celtic Sea was moving from planning into development and delivery. "With two successful bidders announced to develop three gigawatts of clean energy, and a clear commitment from the Crown Estate to deliver the full 4.5GW, we see the start of billions of pounds of investment and thousands of jobs. "This truly is a once in a generation opportunity for our ports and will be a catalyst for economic regeneration in our coastal communities." The group recommendations include establishing a stakeholder forum by autumn 2025 to improve coordination between developers, government, and other key partners. Other proposals focus on streamlining planning and consent processes to speed up project delivery, supporting Welsh businesses to join the offshore wind supply chain, and addressing sector-specific skills gaps. Ajai Ahluwalia, head of supply chain at RenewableUK, said: "We are pleased to see clear, practical actions that respond directly to industry calls for greater certainty, stronger collaboration, and urgent delivery. "Offshore wind is one of the UK's greatest industrial opportunities — with the potential to transform Wales' heartland sectors, like steel and advanced manufacturing. "Over the next decade alone, £32 billion in economic value is at stake, including a £4.8 billion opportunity for Welsh businesses and 3,370 well-paid jobs. "To unlock that value, we must now move swiftly from planning to implementation — and industry stands ready to work with government to make it happen." The plan also emphasises the importance of skills development, calling for coordinated educational initiatives to prepare the workforce for emerging roles in wind turbine technology and high-voltage engineering. It highlights the need to integrate the Welsh steel and concrete industries into offshore wind supply chains, especially for floating wind foundations. Wales has led the way in offshore wind, hosting the UK's first fixed offshore wind projects in North Wales.
Business News Wales
2 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Offshore Wind Task and Finish Group Unveils Action Plan
A new comprehensive action plan has been published which aims to maximise Wales' offshore wind potential and secure long-term economic benefits. A task and finish group, established earlier this year, brought together the collective effort of sector leads across Wales, covering developers, ports, manufacturing and skills. Their aim was to identify what needs to be done in partnership with the Crown Estate, industry and social partners to secure lasting economic and social value to Wales. Wales has been at the forefront of offshore wind projects, hosting the first fixed offshore wind developments in North Wales. Currently Wales has a pipeline of more than 15 GW of offshore wind projects around its coastline, in Welsh, English and Irish waters. The Welsh Government said the sector represents a significant opportunity with the prospect of £4.8 billion for Welsh businesses and over 3,000 jobs. Announcing the new action plan during Wind Week, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said she wanted to 'drive forward the renewable energy revolution, ensuring that Wales remains at the forefront'. She said: 'Last week, we welcomed the announcement that offshore wind in the Celtic Sea was moving from planning into development and delivery. 'With two successful bidders announced to develop three gigawatts of clean energy, and a clear commitment from the Crown Estate to deliver the full 4.5GW, we see the start of billions of pounds of investment and thousands of jobs. 'All the evidence shows the strategic importance of local ports to the developers of offshore wind projects, and I am delighted the UK Government confirmed up to £80 million in the Spending Review to kickstart the investment in the port at Port Talbot. 'This truly is a once in a generation opportunity for our ports and will be a catalyst for economic regeneration in our coastal communities.' Coordinated by Tim Pick, former UK Offshore Wind Champion, the task and finish group has now set out key recommendations, including: Establishing a forum by autumn 2025 with project developers, government, and other key partners to enable better coordination between stakeholders, helping to maximise local benefits from new wind farms in the Celtic Sea. Streamlining the planning and consent process, reducing delays and providing developers with a clear roadmap of requirements through improved coordination between parties to significantly accelerate project timelines and reduce costs. Implementing targeted support for Welsh businesses to enter the offshore wind supply chain, with particular focus on connecting SMEs with larger companies to transform this untapped potential into actual business opportunities, particularly in areas of existing strength like project management and engineering. Coordinating skills development initiatives across educational institutions to address the sector-specific skills gap in areas like wind turbine technology and high-voltage electrical engineering so local communities can access the high-quality jobs created. Integrating the Welsh steel and concrete sectors with offshore wind development, particularly for floating offshore wind foundations and substructures Ajai Ahluwalia, Head of Supply Chain for RenewableUK, said: 'We are pleased to see clear, practical actions that respond directly to industry calls for greater certainty, stronger collaboration, and urgent delivery. 'Offshore wind is one of the UK's greatest industrial opportunities — with the potential to transform Wales' heartland sectors, like steel and advanced manufacturing. 'Over the next decade alone, £32 billion in economic value is at stake, including a £4.8 billion opportunity for Welsh businesses and 3,370 well-paid jobs. 'To unlock that value, we must now move swiftly from planning to implementation — and industry stands ready to work with government to make it happen.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Concern over future of UK's only council-run abattoir
Concerns have been raised about the future of the UK's only local authority-run abattoir. Overall use of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar-operated facility in Stornoway, Lewis, has fallen since 2018 and last year it failed to meet its £184,000 income target. A report to the comhairle's transport and infrastructure committee said the shortfall would need to be met from the local authority's municipal services budget. Lochs councillor Angus Morrison urged crofters to use the abattoir or risk losing it, but he also raised some concerns fees for the service were to rise by 5%. The committee heard that some crofters were slaughtering livestock at home, rather than putting the animals to the abattoir. It was told there had been a decline in sheep numbers in the isles, which could also be affecting throughput at the facility. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds Mr Morrison told the committee: "We have to put a message out to the users that it is either use it or lose it as far as the abattoir is concerned." He added: "I don't think we're doing much good by putting an increase of 5% on the kill charges but I do understand that that has to happen." Slaughter fees for a sheep will rise to about £44. Loch a Tuath councillor Donald Crichton said crofters were being discouraged from increasing their sheep stock due to bureaucracy around farming. Last year, the comhairle used £50,000 of Crown Estate funding to support the abattoir. A saving of about £14,000 was also achieved by opening the site later in the year. Reporting by local democracy reporter Peter Urpeth. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Fast Food Franchise That Was Once Owned By Queen Elizabeth
How do the rich stay rich? By diversifying their investments, of course. The British royal family, when not attending functions and waving elegantly at passersby, maintains a sprawling real estate and business empire that keeps the coffers full. When Queen Elizabeth II was still alive, she owned castles, along with, um, all the dolphins that dared enter British waters. But there were slightly more humble holdings as well — including, in a way, a McDonald's franchise in Oxfordshire. The Queen didn't exactly own the franchise herself. However, the Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, in which the eatery is located, sits on land owned by the Crown, which would have technically made Queen Elizabeth the restaurant's landlord. Talk about golden arches! This wasn't even the first time the Crown was involved with McDonald's. The Queen also purchased a retail park in 2008 called Bath Road Retail Park that included a McDonald's, along with a sporting goods store and a maternity store, though it was sold in 2016 for £120.25 million (the equivalent of just over $138 million) — a nice bit of profit, considering the park cost her £92 million (around $106 million) to acquire. The Banbury Gateway Shopping Park has now passed to King Charles III, who can boast an even wider array of fast food franchises, with his Crown Estate renting space to McDonalds, Starbucks, Subway locations. However, it would appear that none of those cuisines quite tickle his fancy, as his go-to take-out food is reportedly pizza. Read more: 14 Fast Food Burgers That Are Always Fresh And Never Frozen If you're picturing Ronald McDonald and the Queen of England sipping tea and nibbling on nuggets while gossiping about the Burger King, we're going to have to disappoint you. While Queen Elizabeth did have the occasional hankering for a kebab or a spot of fish and chips, she otherwise avoided fast food entirely — which makes sense, considering her army of royal chefs. While Princess Diana would often take Princes Harry and William to McDonald's as a weekend outing, the Queen kept to a rather strict diet when not entertaining. She eschewed both carbs and finger foods throughout the day, aside from her morning teatime biscuits and her afternoon teatime cucumber sandwiches. On the rare occasions she did yearn for a hamburger, it was never a Big Mac, but rather made from venison and served with knives and forks and no bun. Eggs were a special treat, but when she did have them, Queen Elizabeth enjoyed scrambled eggs with two special ingredients: nutmeg and lemon zest. Her real indulgence, though, was chocolate. As far as vices go, that's a pretty relatable one for royalty to have. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. Read the original article on Food Republic.
Business News Wales
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Developers Revealed for Celtic Sea Floating Wind Projects
Delivering floating offshore wind off the coast of Pembrokeshire has taken a significant step forward, as the Crown Estate has named Equinor and a joint venture between EDF Renewables UK and ESB as preferred bidders, following the conclusion of its Round 5 leasing process. Two developers have each secured rights to develop 1.5GW of floating offshore wind (FLOW) capacity in the Celtic Sea, with a third 1.5GW lease area yet to be awarded. As part of the Crown Estate's Round 5 leasing process, both successful bidders will pay an annual option fee of £350 per megawatt, amounting to £525,000 per year for their 1.5GW lease area. Unlike traditional fixed-bottom turbines, FLOW technology allows wind farms to be installed in deeper waters, opening up vast new areas of seabed for renewable energy generation. This latest announcement represents a major milestone for the emerging Floating Offshore Wind industry in the Celtic Sea, with the Crown Estate forecasting the potential for a further 4GW to 10GW to be made available by 2030. The news also follows the Crown Estate's recent commitment to invest £400 million in enhancing port and onshore infrastructure. With two project development areas being located in different parts of the Celtic Sea coastline, strategic investment in ports and the grid will now be critical, as potential supply chain investors await further information from the leasing process regarding the developers' supply chain plans. A major benefit of this announcement is that we now know the developers who will be progressing these projects, so communities and supply chains across South Wales and the South West can engage with the developers to co-create opportunities to maximise the benefit from these projects. What these stakeholders need from the developers now is an indication of project timelines and milestones to prepare and align themselves. This announcement is a significant vote of confidence in the UK's world-leading offshore energy market at a time of global volatility and uncertainty for the sector. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Floating offshore wind will be transformative for economic growth in Wales and the South West, unlocking thousands of jobs in places like Port Talbot and Bristol, bolstering our energy security and delivering industrial renewal. 'The Celtic Sea has huge untapped potential to support our mission to become clean energy superpower, so we can get energy bills down for good through our Plan for Change.' Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, said: 'This is a hugely significant moment for the clean energy industry in Wales and one which will have a positive impact for generations to come. 'Floating offshore wind will help deliver the transition to clean energy, bring down bills for households and help secure the UK's home-grown energy supply. 'Increased economic growth and thousands of new well-paid jobs will come from this huge vote of confidence in Wales' energy industry and its workforce.' Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'The establishment of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea marks the start of a new industrial opportunity for Wales. 'Over the last six months, we have been working through our Task and Finish Group to ensure Wales is in the best possible position to reap the rewards from the energy transition. 'This is an exciting and important step in that journey, and we look forward to working with the industry, The Crown Estate and counterparts in Westminster to write the next chapter in this story.' Matthieu Hue, CEO of EDF Renewables UK, said: 'I am absolutely delighted to announce that we, together with our project partner ESB, have secured preferred Bidder status with The Crown Estate for an Agreement for Lease as part of the Round 5 Leasing Process. 'We look forward to further developing the Gwynt Glas offshore wind farm, helping the UK maintain a market leading position in floating wind and recognising the important role that floating wind can play in the UK's ambition towards reaching net zero.' Jim Dollard, Executive Director at ESB, said: 'ESB, in partnership with our colleagues in EDFR, is delighted to have been successful in The Crown Estate Round 5 seabed allocation in the Celtic Sea. The Celtic Sea is of strategic importance to ESB given its location adjacent to Ireland and the opportunities to develop a floating offshore project in what we believe to be an ideal area bodes well for our ambitions to develop a portfolio of floating offshore wind projects in Ireland and UK to contribute to the net zero plans for both countries as well as those of ESB.' Trine Borum Bojsen, Senior Vice President for Renewables Europe of Equinor, said: 'We are delighted to be given this opportunity in the Celtic Sea. The UK is a core strategic market for Equinor and a market where we have more than a decade's experience in offshore wind. The seabed lease offers the scalability and timing flexibility we seek and is a long-term option for Equinor's renewables portfolio. We believe that the deeper waters in the Celtic Sea have good future potential for floating wind which will play an important role in unlocking the UK's journey towards net zero.'
