The Cardiff Capital Region acquired the former Aberthaw Power Station in the Vale of Glamorgan with long-term plans to transform it into a renewable energy hub with the potential to create thousands of jobs.
The city region, which made up of the 10 local authorities of South East Wales, has bought the decommissioned coal-powered station and nearly 500 acres of land, from energy giant RWE. Funded by the CCR’s £1.2 billion City Deal, it has committed £30.4 million to demolish the power plant and fund remediation and redevelopment work. The move was enough to win it Sale or Acquisition of the Year for Wales in CoStar's Impact Awards, selected by a panel of local industry professionals.
About the Project: While dependent on investor appetite from the private sector, the site could be developed to include renewable and green energy projects, a battery storage facility, a zero-carbon manufacturing cluster with green hydrogen production facilities, a green energy innovation centre or an ecology park.
What the Judges Said: "Aberthaw is by far the most ambitious albeit challenging medium-long term investment of the three nominations with the stated objectives of bringing green energy innovation, jobs and expertise to south Wales in a global market," said Huw Thomas, director, Huw Thomas Commercial Property Consultancy
"This acquisition aligns with Welsh Government Innovation strategy through the regeneration of the former power station site into a renewable energy hub. An opportunity to deliver on a truly green industrial transformation that will help shape the opportunities of the region and the wider Wales." Ann-Marie Smale MBE, managing director, Powell Dobson Architects
They Made It Happen: Scott Caldwell, director – development and Chloe Latham, surveyor – development, at Savills.
