Anglesey’s Energy Island vision becomes a reality last Friday (18 June), as the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, launches the ambitious programme.
The Isle of Anglesey County Council’s new Energy Island Programme has the potential to bring in more than £2.3 billion to Anglesey and North West Wales over the next 15 years through a range of energy related projects.
The First Minister of Wales will join key national, regional and local stakeholders, from the public and private sector, at Coleg Menai’s Construction Skills Centre in Llangefni. Stakeholders present are currently in the process of finalising a collaboration agreement to take this major work programme forward.
First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said, “This framework will create opportunities for Anglesey to benefit from a range of energy related projects- potentially attracting considerable new investment to the Island and creating high quality employment.”
County Council Leader, Councillor Clive McGregor, stressed, “Today’s launch by the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, represents a key milestone in our Energy Island vision. Investment in new energy ventures holds the key to boosting the Anglesey and the North West Wales economy.”
“Anglesey is well placed to become a hub for low carbon energy generation, given its location, wealth of natural resources and skills base, both here and across the wider region. The programme explores how the Island could promote and benefit from a broad energy mix – including wind, tidal, biomass, and other micro-generation projects as well as the potential of a new nuclear build at Wylfa, which in itself will provide huge economic benefits.”
The Energy Island Programme will focus on maximising the local employment and socio-economic opportunities from major energy investments on the Island; including Wylfa new build and major offshore wind farm developments by Centrica and RWE respectively.
These efforts will be co-ordinated by the Energy Island Programme team, led by the Economic Development Unit.
Head of Economic Development and Energy Island Programme Director, Sasha Wynn Davies, explained, “Our Energy Island Programme can bring major economic, social and environmental benefits for Anglesey and the wider region. A recent study found that potential Energy Island projects could contribute £2.34 billion to Anglesey and North West Wales economy over the next 15 years. However, this will not happen unless we co-ordinate efforts between both the private and public sectors and local communities.”
Construction activity could account for up to 5,000 new jobs, as well as additional jobs from supply chain demand and other employment spin-offs between 2013 and 2025. A further 2,500 operational jobs could also be delivered by 2025.
Anglesey is already preparing for these jobs with a new Energy and Fabrication Centre being built at Coleg Menai’s Llangefni campus. The college already has an established Construction Skills Centre.
Chief Operating Officer at Horizon Nuclear Power, Alan Raymant, added, “We’re delighted to be part of the Anglesey Energy Island programme. As the intended site for our first new reactor, and ultimately up to 3.3GW of new, low carbon, nuclear capacity, Wylfa is critical to our plans.
“Our goal is a development that is acceptable to the community, and develops the skills base in Anglesey and North West Wales to bring economic benefits for generations to come. The focus and resolve demonstrated by this initiative is exactly what we need to help deliver that.”
To learn more about Anglesey Energy Island, visit www.angleseyenergyisland.co.uk or contact the programme office on (01248) 752435.
