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A contractor has been appointed to build a £20m specialist facility which will support the decarbonisation of Port Talbot’s steel and metals industry. Morgan Sindall Construction has been commissioned to design and build the SWITCH (South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub) Harbourside development, backed by the Swansea Bay City Deal. It is expected to take 18 months to complete.

The purpose-built research facility will be located close to Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant and include sustainable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaic panels, in the building's design. The hub is being led by Neath Port Talbot Council in partnership with Swansea University, and will support the steel and metals sectors to decarbonise their processes, develop a circular economy, and create advanced materials as part of Net Zero goals.

SWITCH Harbourside forms part of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s £58.7m ‘Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth’ project, which aims to create jobs and growth in the Swansea Bay City Region through the development of a decarbonised economy. It is made up of seven inter-linked projects, including SWITCH Harbourside and the Bay Technology Centre in Baglan Energy Park, which was recently delivered by Morgan Sindell Construction.

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Area director for Morgan Sindall Construction Robert Williams 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. 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.

“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."

Neath Port Talbot Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, Cllr 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 of research and innovation at Swansea University, said: “SWITCH Harbourside will showcase what can be achieved in a net zero future, both in its design and its purpose.

“SWITCH Harbourside will build on Swansea University’s track record of bringing together academia, industry, local authorities and government. It will make Welsh research expertise more accessible to business and industry, to accelerate our transition to net zero.”