Criterion Quay in Pembroke Dock represents one of the most important renewable‑energy infrastructure opportunities in Wales today. This 1.7‑hectare waterside site has FLOW related planning permission, and is a brownfield site positioned at the heart of the Celtic Freeport. With strong demand from Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) developers and supply‑chain partners, the site can be rapidly transformed into Wales’ flagship FLOW Marshalling, Operations & Maintenance (O&M) hub.
Pembroke Port is prepared to deliver.
Why Criterion Quay Matters
A once‑in‑a‑generation industrial opportunity
The Crown Estate’s programme for the Celtic Sea outlines <400MW of test and demonstration projects, followed by 4.5GW of FLOW deployment through Round 5 and a future pipeline of up to 12GW.
This positions Wales at the epicentre of a new renewable energy frontier.
Ports are the critical enabler
FLOW developers will base marshalling and O&M activity where suitable port infrastructure exists. Without investment now, this activity risks relocating to European competitors that are already scaling up.
Timing is decisive
Infrastructure supporting Round 5 needs to be operational by the 2030s. Criterion Quay is one of Wales’ only sites that can meet this timeline thanks to pre-secured planning consent and advanced design work.
The Transformation of Criterion Quay
Phase A - Ready to Deliver
Immediate-action works to unlock the site:
- Remediation of 17,000m² of brownfield land
- Creation of laydown and berthing space for survey, cable‑lay, and installation vessels
Phases B–D - Building a FLOW Powerhouse
Future phases will deliver:
- New pontoons, strengthened quay walls, linkspans, and upgraded utilities
- A GW‑scale O&M base capable of servicing multiple FLOW developers
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Heavy lift capability for turbine component exchange and repair
Total programme value: ~£64 million across four phases
Strategic Alignment with National Goals
Criterion Quay directly supports the ambitions of Welsh and UK energy and economic strategies, including:
- Welsh Government Ports Prospectus (2025) names Pembroke Port as the premier gateway to the Celtic Sea, perfectly positioned less than 45km from the Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind development sites
- Celtic Freeport - investing seed capital and catalysing green energy investment and jobs
- Crown Estate Celtic Sea Blueprint & Round 5 - highlighting Pembroke Port as a preferred location for FLOW deployment
- Regional plans - Swansea Bay City Deal, South West Wales Regional Economic Delivery Plan, Regional Economic Framework
- UK Industrial Strategy (IS8 sectors) - clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, business services
Market Demand & Investment Pipeline
The momentum behind FLOW in the Celtic Sea is strong and growing. Pembroke Port is already seeing significant commercial and institutional interest:
- Supported by FLOW developers and supply chain - they want to see this built.
- Additional interest from supply‑chain partners
- Co‑investment discussions with public and private funders
- Geographic advantage: Pembroke Port is the closest port to the Celtic Sea lease zones, delivering operational, carbon, and cost savings for developers
A Vision for Wales’ Energy Future
Criterion Quay is critical to the Celtic Sea offshore wind opportunity, which will position Wales as a FLOW global leader.