A dredging operation which will allow abnormally large and heavy equipment bound for Pembroke Power Station to be delivered by sea instead of road, is set to begin.

RWE npower says dredging of the approach channel to the site’s heavy loads jetty will enable Alstom, the company building the power station, to transport its largest items of equipment to the site by sea.

The dredging work will also clear channels in Pennar Gut and the main Milford Haven waterway, for the cooling water intake and outfall, which will be needed when the power station is operational.

The backhoe dredger will be working for around five weeks, depending on weather and sea conditions, operating seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to complete the project in the quickest possible time.

The silt removed from the channel will be transported by hopper barge to a designated area about 20 miles off St Ann’s Head.

Andy Smith, project development manager at Pembroke Power Station, says the initial operation will take place at the cooling water intake and jetty approach channel in Pennar Gut. A week-long operation will then follow at the outfall channel, close to the shore near Pwllcrochan.

“Four hopper barges will be in circuit, shuttling between the dredger and the spoil grounds where the silt will be deposited,’’ he explained.

“We anticipate that the operation will take about five weeks but timings may be affected by weather or sea conditions. Our contractor will liaise closely with Milford Haven Port Authority so that the works and vessel movements are coordinated with ongoing port operations.’’