Associated British Ports had the pleasure of hosting maritime minister, Lord Byron Davies, at ABP’s port in Port Talbot on Friday 5 April. The visit encompassed a site tour and discussions aimed at familiarising Lord Davies with ABP’s ambitious plans to transform the port into a major hub for floating offshore wind and broader green energy developments.

Graeme Power-Hosking, head of the future Port Talbot Programme, emphasised ABP’s vision to convert the port into a significant hub for the manufacturing, assembly, and integration of FLOW components for projects in the Celtic Sea. ABP’s planned investment of over £500 million in the Future Port Talbot Programme is projected to unlock £1 billion of investment in Port Talbot and its surrounding areas.

ABP’s port at Port Talbot as it is today. Image credit: Ben Barden Photography Ltd

The timing of Lord Davies’ visit was opportune, following the recent decision by the UK Government’s Department of Energy Security and Net Zero to advance the Future Port Talbot Programme to the Primary List phase of the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme. Lord Davies had the chance to witness firsthand the port’s potential for the renewable energy sector.

Discussions during the visit covered critical topics such as infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and the integration of innovative technologies to enhance operational efficiency.

Reflecting on the visit, Graeme Power-Hosking stated, “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to host Lord Davies in Port Talbot so he could see first-hand how the port has the scale and technical capabilities to unlock the opportunity of Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea.”

Julian Walker, regional director, Wales and Short Sea Ports, highlighted the significance of ABP’s investment in Port Talbot, stating that it would serve as a catalyst for wider economic regeneration in the South Wales industrial cluster and support the UK’s clean energy transition.

Lord Davies, maritime minister at the department for transport, commended ABP’s transformative work in Port Talbot, emphasising its potential to create green jobs, boost investment, and contribute to coastal town improvement.

The visit of Lord Davies to the Port of Port Talbot signifies a significant step in ABP’s journey towards realising the ambitious goals outlined in its Future Port Talbot Programme. It aligns with ABP’s broader commitment to invest in new infrastructure to support the UK’s clean energy transition and decarbonise its operations by 2040, as outlined in its sustainability strategy, Ready for Tomorrow.

For more information visit www.abports.co.uk