As part of a new series focused on the ambitions and opportunities of the Celtic Freeport bid in South Wales, Business News Wales spoke with social impact director at Bouygues UK, Leigh Hughes, about amplifying Wales’ global position in the energy sector and the opportunity to create the Southwest version of Hinkley Point as an economic exporter through new green industries.
About the Celtic Freeport Bid
Celtic Freeport is an exciting project that will unlock the widest possible opportunities for Wales by accelerating innovation and encouraging significant investment, while fast-tracking modern skills for new green industries and national decarbonisation.
With development sites throughout Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire, the Celtic Freeport will:
Support 16,000 new green jobs
Generate £5.5bn of new investment
Accelerate the roll-out of floating offshore wind and the hydrogen economy.
Background
In September 2022, the Welsh and UK Government invited proposals for a freeport in Wales.
The closing date for bids was 24 November 2022, with the winning bid expected to be announced in early February.
The Celtic Freeport bid was lodged on behalf of a public-private consortium whose partners include Associated British Ports (ABP), Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven.