Construction work is due to start soon on a state of the art, self-powering technology centre building at Neath Port Talbot Council’s Baglan Energy Park.
The flagship, green facility will provide flexible office space for start-up companies and growing local businesses with a focus on (but not exclusively) the Research and Development and Innovation sectors.
The technology centre forms part of the council’s City Deal Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth programme, which aims to deliver low carbon, sustainable and inclusive economic growth for the region.
The facility will complement the existing, adjacent Baglan Bay Innovation Centre and will continue the growth of the Baglan Energy Park and the wider Port Talbot Waterfront Enterprise Zone which stretches from Harbourside in the town’s docklands to the Energy Park.
The Waterfront Enterprise Zone, with its close links to rail transport and the M4, aims to strengthen Neath Port Talbot’s viability as a destination to live and work, as well as meeting demand for office, laboratory, digital and general business accommodation.
When built (construction is expected to take 12 months) the technology centre will continue the focus on renewable energy, particularly hydrogen, enabling innovation, research and development
Morgan Sindall Group Plc has been appointed to design and build the new technology centre.
Cllr Annette Wingrave, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainable Development, said: “By constructing this hybrid technology centre building of around 2,500 square metres of high quality flexible office space in a strategic employment site, the project will support and encourage the growth of jobs in strategic sectors identified in the region (both start-ups and indigenous businesses), leading to growth in jobs and increased value for the region’s economy.”
The overall Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth programme is estimated to be worth £6.2 million a year to the local economy once all projects are operational. More than 1,300 jobs will be created or safeguarded, with at least 30% of these to be new.
Funded by the UK Government, the Welsh Government, the public sector and the private sector, the Swansea Bay City Deal is being led by Neath Port Talbot Council, Carmarthenshire Council, Pembrokeshire Council and Swansea Council, in partnership with Swansea University, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Hywel Dda University Health Board.
The investment programme is worth £1.8 billion and more than 9,000 jobs to the Swansea Bay City Region in coming years.
