Contractors have been commissioned to design and build a new £20m facility in Neath Port Talbot, UK, which aims to help decarbonize the steel industry.
Led by Neath Port Talbot Council in partnership with Swansea University, the facility will be known as SWITCH (South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub) Harbourside and will be located close to Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant.
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. It is expected to take 18 months to complete.
SWITCH Harbourside will be a purpose-built open access centre establishing a collaborative network of expertise across academia, industry, and government.
Morgan Sindell, which recently delivered Baglan Energy Park’s award winning Bay Technology Centre, will include sustainable energy technologies in the building’s design.
This will support the council’s Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy (DARE) 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.
“This builds on years of development as a responsible business to lessen carbon use in the construction and operation of buildings wherever possible in each project to help us build towards a better future.”
Robert Williams, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction
Robert Williams, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “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.
“This builds on years of development as a responsible business to lessen carbon use in the construction and operation of buildings wherever possible in each project to help us build towards a better future.”
According to local media reports, the facility will support the steel industry in helping to decarbonize processes, develop a circular economy, and create advanced materials for a net zero society.
Source: Nation Cymru