Wrexham Cable Manufacturing Site Wins Major Contract On £400m Energy Project

The Wrexham based manufacturing site of Prysmian Cables & Systems Ltd has been awarded a major contract for Vattenfall’s Pen y Cymoedd wind energy project in south Wales.

Prysmian Cables and Systems, which has a manufacturing plant on the Wrexham Industrial Estate employed 350 people and produces high-technology cables. The company will also provide the cable network that will link the 76 turbine wind project to the electricity grid. This includes a 9 km high voltage power cable connection between the two new substations being constructed by Vattenfall’s principal contractor ABB, the power and automation technology group.

Since planning of the project began Vattenfall has worked to encourage as many local firms as possible to bid for contracts and sub contracts. After 12-months of a four-year construction £45m of contracts have been placed with Wales-based businesses. So far, more than 51 companies and more than 600 jobs in Wales have been supported by the project. The project is expected to be worth up to £1 billion to the Welsh economy over its 25 year life time.

Darrell Cook, HV Systems, Business Director Prysmian Cables & Systems, commented: “Prysmian is ideally suited to this type of contract. With complete local control over manufacturing and testing of the entire system we can be sure of both the quality and timely delivery to our customer. We are delighted to be involved in this project as it represents another step forward in the move towards renewable energy generation in the UK.”

The Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, Edward Davey, commented on the development and the local economic benefits it is delivering. He said: “This onshore wind project will be the largest in England and Wales and will send a clear signal about this Government’s commitment to the industry. It will add to our energy mix that is tackling climate change and boosting energy security through moves to increase ‘homegrown’ sources.

“The project is fantastic news for the local economy not just in terms of investment but for local growth and green jobs. Businesses in Wales have already received contracts worth £45m over the last year for the Pen y Cymoedd project and Vattenfall are committed to recruiting as many local people as possible. The area will also benefit from the annual £1.8m benefit fund for local community projects.

“All in all PyC is good news for the economy, for consumers and for the environment. It is just the latest example of the benefits that onshore wind is bringing to the UK.”

Pen y Cymoedd is in an area of Welsh Government woodland estate between Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf counties. When operational, in 2016/17 it is expected to generate enough power to meet the domestic needs of Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda county boroughs.