Global medical products and technologies firm Convatec is bringing forward proposals for a renewable energy hub to power its manufacturing operation in Caerphilly. The project, known as Convatec green manufacturing hub, would use wind and solar energy to power the site as part of the company’s ambitions to become net zero.
It is being developed in partnership with local farmers and would be situated adjacent to Convatec’s manufacturing site in Rhymney. It will feature three wind turbines, and around 10 hectares of solar panels, providing a generating capacity of around 20MW. It is also expected to provide enough energy to power the company’s second operation in Deeside.
Convatec, which focuses on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, sells its products into almost 100 countries. It has nine manufacturing facilities around the world including two in Wales, where it employs more than 800 people across its Rhymney and Deeside sites.
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In 2022, 840,000 patients were treated with Welsh-manufactured Convatec dressings in the UK, whilst 3.3 million dressings were sold in Wales alone, where they routinely supply the NHS.
Rhymney plant director Marion Davies said: “Convatec has been in Rhymney for almost 40 years, employing over a hundred people in high quality jobs. Transitioning our operations to clean, green locally-produced energy will make us more resilient, ensuring we can continue to produce world leading products here in Rhymney, that positively touch the lives of people with chronic illness on a daily basis, over the long-term.
“We are dedicated to supporting our local community and look forward to engaging with neighbours, stakeholders and local businesses to help shape the plans and identify opportunities for collaboration and positive community focused outcomes.”
Expected to have an installed capacity of greater than 10MW, the hub will be considered a Development of National Significance (DNS) by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), with the final decision being made by Welsh Ministers.
The firm said it has organised two early-engagement community meetings in Rhymney for the public to learn more about their emerging proposals. These will take place on Wednesday 28 June between 4pm - 8pm at St David’s Community Centre and Thursday 29 June between 10am - 2pm at Ael-y-Bryn Sports & Community Centre.
Feedback received as part of the early engagement will help shape the detailed proposals for the statutory consultation, which will take place in the autumn.
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