Haven drilling begins today

9:28am Tuesday 10th April 2007

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Moves to bring a £800m power station to Pembroke have stepped up a gear as energy giant RWE npower begins investigative drilling deep under Milford Haven today (Tuesday).

The purpose of the 12 week operation is to discover the nature of the rock beneath the seabed.

This is in preparation for an underground pipeline, which would supply gas to the proposed power station.

The company said the investigation method has been specifically chosen not to impact upon the protected environment in the Haven. The drilling will take place from the north bank of the Haven from the former Royal Naval depot at Blackbridge, and will go as deep as 30 meters below the seabed, for a length of up to 2,100 metres.

All works will be contained within a disused former car park near to a number of demolished buildings.

RWE npower Project Manager Andy Smith, said: "Before any work could start on the gas pipeline it is vital that we have an extremely detailed knowledge of all the layers of rock under the seabed. The best way of discovering this, whilst avoiding direct impact on the Haven, is to conduct a test drilling and carry out tests on some of the rock that is removed."

He added: "We are committed to working as sensitively as possible, so as not to harm wildlife and to keep any disturbances to local residents to an absolute minimum."

This investigation began yesterday and will last for approximately 12 weeks, with work taking place between 7am and 7pm.

If anyone has any questions, they are encouraged to contact RWE npower on the Pembroke hotline on 0845 136 0102 or email pembroke@rwenpower.com.