The recent development of three new onshore wind turbines for Dragon Energy represents a major milestone in Pembrokeshire’s energy landscape.
Pembroke Port played a central enabling role throughout the delivery process - providing quayside expertise to the vessel with co-ordinators GP Shipping, heavy‑lift support alongside Davies Cranes Hire, secure laydown areas, and seamless coordination with logistics specialists Collett & Sons to ensure safe onward transport to the Waterston site.
This case study highlights how Pembroke Port’s infrastructure, experience, and collaborative approach supported the successful delivery of turbine components from vessel to final destination.
Quayside Arrival: Safe Handling of Large‑Scale Components
The first major turbine components - tower sections and large turbine elements - began arriving at Pembroke Port in late November 2025. The Peak Bergen delivered tower components on 26 November, followed shortly afterward by the Wilson Flex IV carrying the first sets of rotor blades.
These shipments marked the start of the physical delivery phase of Dragon Energy’s multi‑million‑pound renewable energy project, requiring precision planning to berth, unload, and transfer oversized components safely.
Pembroke Port’s role included:
- Working with its supply chain to secure expert crane operations from Davies Cranes to lift and position tower sections and blades directly from vessel to quayside.
- Coordination with marine pilots and port operations in the Port of Milford Haven (which owns and operates Pembroke Port) teams to manage effective access and berthing.
- Careful scheduling to align with tidal and weather windows, ensuring operational continuity.
This level of quayside expertise was essential, as many of the components - especially the giant rotor blades - required specialist handling capabilities and meticulous operational planning.
Jim Baxter, Carmarthen & Pembroke Depot Manager, Davies Cranes said: “Projects of this scale demand a port partner that truly understands heavy lift and renewable energy logistics. Pembroke Port provided an excellent operating environment, from quayside access to laydown coordination, enabling us to deliver safe and effective crane operations for the turbine deliveries. The collaborative approach across all parties was a clear example of how complex infrastructure projects can be delivered successfully.”
Laydown, Storage & On‑Port Coordination
Following unloading, Pembroke Port provided vital laydown space to accommodate the substantial turbine components prior to road transport.
The Port’s storage and laydown offering ensured that components remained accessible, protected, and ready for staged dispatch.
During this phase, the Port worked closely with:
- Dragon Energy’s delivery coordinators
- Police and highway authorities
- Specialist contractors preparing the delivery route
This integrated approach ensured that storage, inspection, and onward planning could proceed without delays, keeping the turbine delivery schedule on track.
A spokesperson from Dragon said: ‘Dragon Energy Ltd. provides renewable electricity to users at the Waterston Site and is continuing to expand its solar and wind generation to significantly reduce Scope 2 emissions. The installation of three turbines will provide the site with secure, long-term energy resilience while reducing carbon emissions by up to 8,700 tonnes per year.
The support of the Port of Milford Haven, and the use of facilities at Pembroke Port, played a key role in the logistics of transporting turbine components from mainland Europe to Pembrokeshire.’
Logistic Partnership with Collett & Sons: Moving the Turbines by Road
From January 2026, heavy‑lift and abnormal load logistics specialists Collett & Sons began transporting turbine blades and components from Pembroke Port to the Dragon Energy site in Waterston.
Daily convoys (each police‑escorted and carefully timed) departed the Port twice per day, navigating a pre‑approved route.
Key elements of the road‑transport phase included:
- Route access surveys coordinated with Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed‑Powys Police to identify and resolve pinch points.
- Temporary relocation of street furniture to accommodate large components.
- Close collaboration with Collett’s specialist convoy teams to ensure safe navigation of large loads through built‑up and rural areas.
The planned convoys successfully delivered a total of 39 components, including 68 metre blades, culminating in the transportation of the final turbine blades in late January 2026.
Lee Robinson, Project Manager for Collett stated: “As project manager for the Dragon LNG project, I’m proud of what our team achieved in a complex built up route. Unlike many rural developments, this project brought its own unique challenges, navigating populated residential areas with heavy traffic and working closely with the local authority and roadworks contractors to safely share road space. Deliveries to a high-security industrial site added another layer of logistical complexity. The strong collaboration between all stakeholders including Enercon, Knights Brown, Dragon LNG and Pembroke Port made the project both challenging and highly rewarding to deliver.”
Outcome: A Model of Port‑Enabled Renewable Infrastructure Delivery
Pembroke Port’s involvement was instrumental in enabling the Dragon Energy turbine project. Through its coordinated quayside operations, laydown management, and logistical partnership, the Port ensured:
- Safe and efficient vessel unloading
- Secure on‑site storage of components
- Minimised community disruption through careful planning
- Successful delivery of all turbine components to the Dragon Energy site
Sharon Adams, Commercial Manager at Pembroke Port said: "This project is a great example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration. Working closely with Dragon Energy, Davies Cranes, Collett & Sons, GP Shipping and other partners, Pembroke Port was able to provide the facilities, coordination, and expertise needed to safely manage every stage of the operation. Supporting projects like this reinforces our role as a key logistics hub for projects in Wales."
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