Latest news with #RebeccaEvans
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
New nuclear manufacturing hub in Deeside to create 200 jobs
Boccard, an international engineering, manufacturing, construction and maintenance company headquartered in Lyon, France, opened the new facility on Deeside Industrial Estate on Wednesday (July 16). The strategic hub is seen as a vital move in developing a supply chain capable of meeting the government's nuclear build programme, following its commitment to invest £17bn in the sector. It is one of the UK's largest supply chain hubs for the nuclear industry, providing infrastructure components for UK nuclear power stations including Hinkley Point C in Somerset and Sizewell C in Suffolk. The facility will manufacture components including pipework, supports, tanks and modular systems. With experience from its participation in 44 of the 56 producing reactors in France, Boccard's new development further enhances the UK's reputation as a strategic location for the advancement of nuclear technologies. Inside the new Boccard nuclear components manufacturing facility at Deeside. (Image: Boccard) The new facility will create over 200 permanent positions. It will also provide the UK and Europe with the means to strengthen energy resilience and secure supply. As the transition from fossil fuels to greener sources accelerates, the operation will support the need for access to adequate, reliable, and affordable clean energy. Bruno Boccard, chairman of Boccard, said: "Our new facility in North Wales is a milestone in our century-long history and part of our broader European expansion. "Our ambition is to be a driving force in the UK's nuclear renaissance, while supporting the country's decarbonisation and energy sovereignty goals." He added: "The UK government's historic support marks a turning point for the nuclear sector, shifting focus to building a world-class supply chain and attracting top talent. "As a leading manufacturer, we look forward to sharing best practices and collaborating to create a nuclear hub in North Wales and across the UK." On the production line at the new Boccard nuclear components manufacturing facility at Deeside (Image: Boccard) Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'The opening of Boccard's new nuclear components manufacturing facility in Deeside clearly signals that Wales is strategically placed to play a central role in the future nuclear supply chain. 'With a rapidly growing skilled workforce and the presence of major suppliers like Boccard, North Wales is primed to attract further investment into this expanding sector and unlock significant growth for the Welsh economy. 'Since the start of this Senedd term, we have directly invested £600 million in Welsh businesses, creating and safeguarding 40,000 jobs. The hundreds of jobs created by the opening of Boccard's new manufacturing facility, which is backed by more than £1 million in Welsh Government funding, forms part of this success story." MORE NEWS: She added: 'Wales is becoming an important location for inward investment. Last year saw 65 projects - a 23% increase on the previous financial year. This was the second highest increase of any nation or region of the UK.' Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'The people of North Wales are set to feel the benefits of our plans to kickstart a golden age of new nuclear. This new manufacturing facility demonstrates the benefits that nuclear power can bring to every corner of the country – building up British supply chains and creating jobs and economic growth. 'The biggest nuclear building programme in a generation will also help protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis.'
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
New nuclear manufacturing hub in Deeside to create 200 jobs
Boccard, an international engineering, manufacturing, construction and maintenance company headquartered in Lyon, France, opened the new facility on Deeside Industrial Estate on Wednesday (July 16). The strategic hub is seen as a vital move in developing a supply chain capable of meeting the government's nuclear build programme, following its commitment to invest £17bn in the sector. It is one of the UK's largest supply chain hubs for the nuclear industry, providing infrastructure components for UK nuclear power stations including Hinkley Point C in Somerset and Sizewell C in Suffolk. The facility will manufacture components including pipework, supports, tanks and modular systems. With experience from its participation in 44 of the 56 producing reactors in France, Boccard's new development further enhances the UK's reputation as a strategic location for the advancement of nuclear technologies. Inside the new Boccard nuclear components manufacturing facility at Deeside. (Image: Boccard) The new facility will create over 200 permanent positions. It will also provide the UK and Europe with the means to strengthen energy resilience and secure supply. As the transition from fossil fuels to greener sources accelerates, the operation will support the need for access to adequate, reliable, and affordable clean energy. Bruno Boccard, chairman of Boccard, said: "Our new facility in North Wales is a milestone in our century-long history and part of our broader European expansion. "Our ambition is to be a driving force in the UK's nuclear renaissance, while supporting the country's decarbonisation and energy sovereignty goals." He added: "The UK government's historic support marks a turning point for the nuclear sector, shifting focus to building a world-class supply chain and attracting top talent. "As a leading manufacturer, we look forward to sharing best practices and collaborating to create a nuclear hub in North Wales and across the UK." On the production line at the new Boccard nuclear components manufacturing facility at Deeside (Image: Boccard) Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'The opening of Boccard's new nuclear components manufacturing facility in Deeside clearly signals that Wales is strategically placed to play a central role in the future nuclear supply chain. 'With a rapidly growing skilled workforce and the presence of major suppliers like Boccard, North Wales is primed to attract further investment into this expanding sector and unlock significant growth for the Welsh economy. 'Since the start of this Senedd term, we have directly invested £600 million in Welsh businesses, creating and safeguarding 40,000 jobs. The hundreds of jobs created by the opening of Boccard's new manufacturing facility, which is backed by more than £1 million in Welsh Government funding, forms part of this success story." MORE NEWS: She added: 'Wales is becoming an important location for inward investment. Last year saw 65 projects - a 23% increase on the previous financial year. This was the second highest increase of any nation or region of the UK.' Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'The people of North Wales are set to feel the benefits of our plans to kickstart a golden age of new nuclear. This new manufacturing facility demonstrates the benefits that nuclear power can bring to every corner of the country – building up British supply chains and creating jobs and economic growth. 'The biggest nuclear building programme in a generation will also help protect family finances, take back control of our energy, and tackle the climate crisis.'
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
College ‘buzzing' with excitement over new engineering campus
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, which led the project, has handed the facility over to Coleg Gwent. It will be kitted out over the summer with state-of-the-art robotics, advanced manufacturing technologies, and immersive digital tools. The 21,808 sq ft campus will offer hi-tech training and education in robotics, and advanced manufacturing in fields such as automotive, aerospace, and information technology. The council secured £10.8 million funding from UK government and £4.8 million from the Welsh Government's Tech Valleys programme to transform the former Monwel Hankinson factory site in Ebbw Vale. Cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning Rebecca Evans said: 'This fantastic new facility forms a key part of our vision to transform the South Wales Valleys into a globally recognised hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable technologies.' Cllr John Morgan, BGCBC cabinet member for economy and place, said: 'Hive has faced some challenges during its build, and I want to commend everyone involved for their commitment and vision in delivering this hugely important project." Nicola Gamlin, principal of Coleg Gwent, said: 'We're proud to take ownership of the state-of-the-art HiVE facility, a landmark development for education and skills in Blaenau Gwent and beyond. We're excited to welcome our first cohort of learners this September.' The learning starts even before HiVE however, with the HiVE Hub Programme in local schools, which is being funded by Welsh Government Tech Valleys and UK Government. The programme aims to create meaningful and sustainable links between the college and Blaenau Gwent schools to support high quality and inspirational learning experiences.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Deeside nuclear manufacturing hub brings 200 jobs to north Wales
A new nuclear facility is opening in a north Wales town, bringing more than 200 jobs to the 10,000 sq m (108,000 sq ft) digital nuclear manufacturing site was officially opened in Deeside, Flintshire, on Wednesday is one of the UK's largest supply chain hubs for the nuclear industry, providing infrastructure components for UK nuclear power stations including Hinkley Point C in Somerset and Sizewell C in the French company opening the new site, said it hoped to become "a driving force in the UK's nuclear renaissance". The facility will manufacture components including pipework, supports, tanks and modular development, unveiled by Stuart Crooks, chief executive of Hinkley Point C, and Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh government cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, follows the UK government's £17bn nuclear investment announced in its spending review. Boccard said the new hub would create more than 200 permanent jobs, develop local skills, and contribute to the UK's decarbonisation and net zero Boccard, the firm's chairman, said it was a "milestone in our century-long history and part of our broader European expansion"."The UK government's historic support marks a turning point for the nuclear sector, shifting focus to building a world-class supply chain and attracting top talent."Mr Crooks added the Deeside facility was "a prime example of the way nuclear is creating new industrial capacity in Britain", while Evans said it "clearly" signalled that "Wales is strategically placed to play a central role in the future nuclear supply chain".
North Wales Chronicle
15-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales Clean Energy Fund will power sector progress
The North Wales Clean Energy Fund, worth £24.6 million, has been launched by Ambition North Wales to help drive the region's shift to a low-carbon economy. Part of the North Wales Growth Deal, the fund will support clean energy and decarbonisation projects for businesses and voluntary sector organisations. Cllr Gary Pritchard, lead member for the Low Carbon Energy Programme at Ambition North Wales and leader of Isle of Anglesey Council, said: "I was immensely proud to be part of the launch, and now to see the fund up and running. "It will mean that green energy projects based in North Wales can begin and progress more quickly. "By supporting innovative businesses and community-driven projects, we are fostering a more sustainable, prosperous future for the region." The fund will run for an initial five-year period and includes two dedicated sub-funds. The first, led by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), targets charities, social enterprises, and community-led projects. The second, delivered by UMi, is aimed at private sector businesses. A third reserve fund will consider applications from other organisations and funding models. The fund will support a variety of clean energy solutions, including storage, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and renewable energy generation. It is expected to deliver £100 million of investment in the region, create 150 jobs, and cut up to 125,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The launch event was held at Coleg Llandrillo's Engineering Centre in Rhyl, which houses a renewable energy technology training facility. Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, welcomed the scheme. She said: "The launch of the Clean Energy Fund is fantastic news for North Wales, opening the door to more opportunities for the region's thriving clean energy sector. "With its abundant natural resources, skilled workforce, and commitment to sustainability, North Wales is uniquely positioned to lead the way in harnessing renewable energy. "I look forward to seeing innovative developments that will drive economic growth while advancing our transition to a greener future." Dame Nia Griffith, Wales Office minister, shared her support in a video message during the event. She said: "The Clean Energy Fund helps to cement North Wales's growing reputation in the clean energy sector. "This fund, supported by investment from the UK Government, will ensure the sector continues to flourish and create new well-paid jobs." The fund supports the North Wales Regional Energy Strategy, which aims to increase renewable energy use and promote local ownership of clean energy assets. Further details and application information are available at
