At the latest meeting of the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board, the Secretary of State for Wales and Chair of the Transition Board, Rt. Hon. Jo Stevens MP, sought endorsement from the Board to announce £8.2 million for the South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub (SWITCH). This project will support more than 100 jobs and generate more than £87 million for the South Wales economy, supporting the Government’s Plan for Change and economic growth mission. 

This is the first project to receive funding as part of the growth and regeneration projects in Port Talbot. A collaboration between Swansea University, Cardiff University and the University of South Wales, with industry and public sector partners. The Transition Board funding is in addition to the £20 million from the Swansea Bay City Deal. SWITCH will deliver research to support and join up the decarbonisation transition. The announcement of further growth and 
regeneration projects are due to follow. 

The South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub project will redevelop a four-acre site at Harbourside, Port Talbot which will include the construction of additional shared space, undertake flood mitigation and the provision of specialist equipment. This investment will help establish an Innovation District in Port Talbot.

This will allow the development of a new facility targeted at supporting the steel and metal industry and supply chain to reduce carbon emissions in production. 

The latest funding comes from the UK Government’s £80m Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board fund which, since last July, has announced £51 million to support individual steelworkers and businesses in Tata Steel’s supply chain to protect jobs and grow the local economy. The latest announcement is the first project to support growth and regeneration of the region. 

"This significant investment will make Welsh research and innovation expertise even more accessible to business and industry, and help stimulate economic growth, provide long-term employment and foster a thriving community." Professor Helen Griffiths, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Swansea University

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: "In just six months there has now been over £50 million announced by the Transition Board to support individual steelworkers and their families, businesses in the supply chain and now on a major regeneration project for the town.

"Millions more will follow and while this remains a very difficult time for Tata workers, their families and the community, we are determined to support our steel communities whatever happens."

Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said: "This announcement builds on the investment that will be unlocked through the recent Celtic Freeport and other investments and innovation we are supporting in and around Port Talbot.

"Working alongside our Transition Board partners, we will continue to do everything we can to provide opportunities for growth wherever they arise as well as making sure that the right assistance and support is in place for those impacted by the Tata changes."

The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt, said: "We welcome this extra tranche of funding as the SWITCH project will attract jobs and investment to Neath Port Talbot as it progresses over the next few years. It also means this area can build on its long history in the steel and metals industries to address the challenges of our time.”

Professor Helen Griffiths, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Swansea University, said: "SWITCH will leverage Swansea University’s history of uniting academia, industry, local authorities, and government. This significant investment will make Welsh research and innovation expertise even more accessible to business and industry, and help stimulate economic growth, provide long-term employment and foster a thriving community."

The South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub (SWITCH) delivers research to support industrial decarbonisation transition. 
This announcement of Transition Board funding for the Harbourside project will create a new base for SWITCH. This will add to the facility’s £20 million funding from the Swansea Bay City Deal.