Plans for a major new manufacturing plant in Swansea, creating hundreds of well-paying jobs, are making significant progress.
The 60,000 square meter plant, set for land just off Langdon Road in the city’s SA1 district, will manufacture high-tech batteries for the renewable energy sector.
The proposed new factory is part of the £1.7 billion Blue Eden project being developed by an international consortium, led by Bridgend-based DST Innovations.
In principle, the heads of term have now been agreed between Swansea Council and the organization of the land, which is currently owned by the council.
The development will bring the latest energy technology to Swansea, attracting visitors from around the world and home to dozens of state-of-the-art charging ports allowing motorists to charge their vehicles with renewable energy.
New facilities will also be built to showcase high-tech battery technology – called ‘Batri’ – as well as a visitor’s lounge that incorporates a high-tech working environment and popular refreshment points.
Construction is due to start next year, subject to Swansea Council cabinet approval and planning permissions in place.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Head of Swansea Council, said:
“The battery manufacturing plant is a key part of the Blue Eden project, so this is an exciting development. It will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs for local people and is part of an overall scheme that will place Swansea at the forefront of global innovation in renewable energy.
“I am delighted that progress is being made so quickly on the Blue Eden scheme, which will further boost our economy, while reducing our carbon footprint and boosting Swansea’s global profile as an investment location.
“Blue Eden will be fully privately funded and will follow a £1 billion regeneration program in Swansea which is transforming our town into one of the best places in the UK to live, work, study and visit. .”
Tony Miles, Co-Founder and Managing Director of DST Innovations, said:
“This is a big step in Blue Eden’s journey.
“Swansea will host Batri, producing energy storage technology that is accelerating the transition to renewables and helping organizations achieve their zero emissions goals.
“Batri will create highly skilled roles at Swansea and be a global leader in this new green era.”
The newly designed tidal lagoon that will be part of Blue Eden will feature state-of-the-art underwater turbines, generating 320 megawatts of renewable energy from the 9.5 km structure.
To be delivered in three phases over 12 years, Blue Eden also includes a 72,000 square meter floating solar array, a 94,000 square meter data center and an ocean and climate change research center.
Waterfront residential homes for 5,000 people are also on offer, along with around 150 energy-efficient floating eco-homes permanently anchored in the Quai de la Reine.
Blue Eden will be located along a large area of land and water, south of Prince of Wales Dock in the SA1 area of Swansea.
The project will create over 2,500 permanent jobs and support an additional 16,000 jobs in Wales and the UK, while creating additional jobs during its construction.
Blue Eden was developed following discussions based on a vision proposed by a regional working group led by Swansea Council.
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