Power station redevelopment job-creating potential outlined

The comprehensive redevelopment of a South Wales power station site has the potential to create more than 5,000 jobs, a presentation at MIPIM 2023 has outlined.The Leys, Aberthaw Power Station, a former coal fired energy plant in Aberthaw, began its decommissioning journey in 2019.The facility spans around 500 acres with some key natural resources.Acquisition has recently taken place by the specifically created CCR Energy Ltd, which is a company wholly owned by the 10 local authorities in South East Wales.The session, which took place on Tuesday (14 March) at the international real estate conference, allowed delegates to learn more about the site and gain an appreciation of the high level masterplan that is being created.Rhys Thomas, chief operating officer, Cardiff Capital Region, was speaker at the session.The masterplan aims to secure a “green and prosperous future for CCR”, with proposals including a Zero Carbon manufacturing cluster including green hydrogen production facilities.Other plans include a battery storage facility for storing green energy, a Zero Carbon data centre campus providing Zero Carbon data storage for people in Wales, and a green energy innovation centre promoting innovation, growth, knowledge and community interaction with the Zero Carbon Future of Wales.Also included is a green energy solar park and a bio diverse ecology park with potential to deliver a visitors outreach centre providing amenity to the local community.The vision aims to introduce a mix of uses that utilise the site’s existing unique infrastructure (275kV and 132kV National Grid substations) and operational rail head while capitalising on structural trend toward Net Zero.The 489-acre site is located in close proximity to existing economic growth areas St. Athan & Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zone.According to the presentation, the “ambitious, but grounded” project would provide multiple benefits to CCR and its communities against all green economic and wellbeing goalsIt also said it is a timely project for CCR to demonstrate leadership, strong Net Zero credentials and drive a key economic cluster of the future.The presentation said it has the potential to create 5,000 plus jobs (direct and indirect), contribute positively to the implementation of the CCR Energy Strategy, and leverage significant private sector investment to the regionAs well as this, it said the scheme has the opportunity to make a contribution to domestic energy security and resilience – key in the face of current national and international energy supply challengesIt added that it will be the “catalyst” for the region taking full advantage of the emerging green economy including funding from external public and private sector partners.