Morgan Sindall Construction is to design and build a £20million R&D facility in Neath Port Talbot to help steel and metal industries decarbonise.
To be known as SWITCH – South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub – Harbourside it will be located close to Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant and is expected to take 18 months to complete.
SWITCH Harbourside will be a purpose-built open[1]access centre bringing together expertise across academia, industry and government with the aim of accelerating the region's transition to net zero. The net zero facility is the brainchild of Neath Port Talbot Council in partnership with Swansea University. Morgan Sindall will include sustainable energy technologies in the building's design.
This will support the council's Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy strategy by incorporating technology such as photovoltaic panels to provide a significant clean source of energy and eliminating any fossil fuels used on site during the build. The facility will support the steel and metals industry to decarbonise processes, develop a circular economy and create advanced materials for a net zero society.
Robert Williams, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said he was delighted to be helping develop the area. "It's a privilege to play a key role in the SWITCH Harbourside development which will help the region move towards a net zero future. We are working closely with Neath Port Talbot Council and partners Swansea University to ensure we bring together our experience and knowledge to deliver the best possible outcome for the project."
Neath Port Talbot Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, Councillor Jeremy Hurley, said: "The exciting SWITCH Harbourside project will support the transformation and decarbonisation of our important steel and metals industry and associated supply chain.
Professor Helen Griffiths, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation at Swansea University, added: "SWITCH Harbourside will showcase what can be achieved in a net zero future, both in its design and its purpose. It will build on Swansea University's track record of bringing together academia, industry, local authorities and government."
As an open-access facility, the development will also provide access to knowledge and equipment for a wider collaborative network of expertise across academia, industry and government.
The building forms part of the City Deal supporting innovation and low carbon growth programme and is aimed at establishing the region as a leader in low carbon growth and the green economy. The design and construction of SWITCH Harbourside is expected to be completed in early 2025.
Image: The development will be located close to the Tata Steelworks on the Neath Port Talbot Harbourside Image courtesy: SWITCH Wales
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