Community groups in Pembrokeshire looking to improve their green credentials can now apply for financial assistance from the Port of Milford Haven’s Green Energy Fund, launched today.

The fund is designed to support third sector organisations improve their environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, waste or improving energy efficiency. Charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations that are working within Pembrokeshire are eligible to apply for support.

Lauren Williams, Community Engagement Assistant at the Port, said “We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to Net Zero targets set by the UK and Welsh Governments. We recognise that many other organisations are also environmentally conscientious so we want to help them make savings and improvements through this new initiative. Not only will this benefit them in the short term, but will no doubt improve the sustainability of places like community centres long into the future to be enjoyed by the next generation.”

She added “Sustainability is one of the Port’s core values and we are playing a leading role, in close collaboration with others, to help the region meet decarbonisation goals.”

The Port’s Energy Development Manager, Tam Bardell, has welcomed the new Green Energy Fund, commenting “We are making great strides in harnessing renewable energy, for example we have a 20,000 panel solar park at Liddeston Ridge, the Milford Haven: Energy Kingdom project is demonstrating how hydrogen can help decarbonise heat, power and transport, and the £60 million Pembroke Dock Marine project at Pembroke Port will create a centre of excellence for the marine renewables industry. With all of this in mind, we felt it was an obvious step to launch a fund that will help others in our community to become more sustainable.”

Applications will be assessed on a quarterly basis by a panel of Port employees. The deadline for the first round of the fund is Friday 24th June, to apply visit www.mhpa.co.uk/green-energy-fund. The maximum allocation per project is £5,000.  

Pembroke Dock Marine is a partnership project between the Port of Milford Haven, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Marine Energy Wales and Celtic Sea Power. It is funded by the UK Government and Welsh Government through the Swansea Bay City Deal, and through the public and private sectors. It is also part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

-Ends-

Photo caption: Solar panels are just one of the ways to reduce electricity bills

 

Notes to Editors

Port of Milford Haven

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas.  It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock.  Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites. 

One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities.  Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes.  All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives. 

For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:

Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk