
MP says Newport is leading way in new industrial revolution
Jessica Morden. Labour MP for Newport East, said that the city is "primed, ready to power the world" as the new data and clean energy-driven industrial revolution takes hold.
She said that Newport is "at the forefront" of the new industrial revolution, just as it was during the original Industrial Revolution, when iron and coal were shipped globally from its docks.
Ms Morden said: "As a Member of Parliament, I am continually amazed by the innovation and industry within our constituency.
"We manufacture and develop products of national and global significance, powering incredible projects and infrastructure, advancing technology, and creating the jobs of tomorrow right here in our city."
She highlighted several companies that are leading the way in Newport's new industrial revolution.
(Image: Submitted)
These include Tata's plant at Llanwern, which produces automotive steel for luxury car brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, and Audi.
Ms Morden said: "The dedicated and highly skilled workforce there is a testament to the steel DNA that runs through the veins of Newport East."
She also praised tech giant KLA, which has been located in Newport East for more than 40 years and develops technology to build semiconductors.
Ms Morden said: "It never fails to amaze me that without the R&D happening at KLA on the Coldra Roundabout, the technology in our phones – which we all rely on so much – would not exist."
EnerSys, which employs nearly 500 people locally and produces around 1 million battery blocks each year, was also highlighted by Ms Morden.
She said: "It's no exaggeration to say that Newport East is helping power the world through EnerSys."
Ms Morden also mentioned Simec Atlantis Energy (SAE), which has been successful in its bid for support from Cardiff Capital Region.
This will allow them to progress to the next stage of development at their site at Uskmouth, transforming the old coal-fired power station into a battery energy storage solution.
Ms Morden said: "This hugely innovative and ambitious project of national significance will be one of the biggest battery energy storage sites in the UK.
"It will create hundreds of jobs and add an additional 1GW of capacity to the country's energy infrastructure, enough to power almost 700,000 homes."
She also mentioned other companies in Newport East that are contributing to the city's economic growth, including Wales' only train manufacturer, CAF, and specialist aviation company, AerFin.
Ms Morden said: "New industry and thousands of highly skilled jobs are developing here in Newport, all nationally and globally significant.
"Many are attracted by the transportation methods that led Newport's boom in the first industrial revolution – rail and water – something which investors and developers regularly share with me is an asset and a key decider in making the choice to locate in Newport."
She also highlighted the importance of Newport Docks, one of the busiest ports in the country, handling around £1bn of trade each year.
Ms Morden said: "Combine all of these factors with the fact that Newport is the fastest growing and youngest city (by population age) in Wales, and it's easy to see why Newport stands primed, ready to power the world as the new data and clean energy-driven industrial revolution takes hold."

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