Campaigners were celebrating today after a project tipped to create 16,000 jobs, boost Britain’s beleaguered steel industry and generate enough energy to power 24 million homes was given the green light.
The Celtic Freeport scheme for Port Talbot and Milford Haven was one of two Welsh freeports to win approval, along with another in Anglesey.
The Welsh Government said: “The freeports will form special zones with the benefits of simplified customs procedures, relief on customs duties, tax benefits and development flexibility.
“They are designed to promote regeneration and high-quality job creation, become a national hub for global trade and investment across the economy, and foster an innovative environment.”
The Westminster Government will pump £26million into each project.
Visiting Anglesey, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Wales is a thriving part of the UK, and today’s new freeports will see businesses and opportunities for people in and around Anglesey, Port Talbot and Milford Haven go from strength to strength.”
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The Welsh Government has a clear economic mission to transform the Welsh economy, creating a stronger, fairer and greener future.
“The designation of these sites as Wales’ first freeports will reinforce that mission, building on the significant investments and partnerships we have made in these regions over many years.”
The Mirror told last month how the Celtic Freeport was set to revive industrial fortunes on the South Wales coast.
Supporters say the project will see wind turbines and platforms manufactured at Tata’s Port Talbot steelworks and sailed into the Celtic Sea off West Wales to form a floating offshore wind farm.
Maintenance experts will be based at Milford Haven - meaning two “green energy” ports on the Welsh coast.
Backers said it will accelerate the rollout of floating offshore wind farms, where turbines can be sited further out at sea where winds are stronger - increasing the electricity generated.
Labour MP Stephen Kinnock, whose constituency includes Port Talbot, said: "Wales was the cradle of the first industrial revolution; the Celtic Freeport offers us a transformational opportunity to be the cradle of the Green Industrial Revolution."
Conservative Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb said: “Securing freeport status will send a powerful signal to developers, unlocking new investment in high quality jobs and training opportunities.
“It’s a green light for billions of pounds of game changing investment, the creation of thousands of jobs and a lasting skills legacy for generations to come.”
While the UK is world-leading at “fixed-bottom” offshore wind - where turbines are screwed to the seabed - floating offshore wind is in its infancy.
Critics say that Britain missed out on a bonanza when fixed-bottom wind farms were built because turbines are imported from abroad.
This time, they hope turbines will be made in the UK - which can then specialise in their production.
The Celtic Sea wind farm will provide four gigawatts of electricity by 2035 - enough to power four million homes - rising to 24GW by 2045.
Each tower will be 300 metres (984ft) tall. The Shard in London is 310m.
Associated British Ports’ regional director Andrew Harston, said: “Floating offshore wind (Flow) in the Celtic Sea is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Wales, and the scale needed is immense.
“ABP stands ready to invest £500million in our port at Port Talbot to ensure first mover advantage to capture this global market.
“We want our ports to act as a base for Flow manufacturing, maintenance and operations.”
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