Since the launch of the Summit, new investments in Wales have reached a total of £16 billion, spanning multiple sectors and creating thousands of jobs. Major international companies contributing to this investment include Vodafone, GE Aerospace Wales, Associated British Ports, RWE, Eni, Bad Wolf, and Vantage Data Centers, reflecting strong confidence in the Welsh economy.
Vodafone is investing £600 million to expand 5GSA coverage to 99% of Wales, benefiting an additional 2 million people. GE Aerospace Wales will modernize its Nantgarw site with a £19 million investment, supporting over 1,350 highly skilled engineers and technical specialists. Associated British Ports plans a £42 million capital upgrade across five Welsh ports, including a new deep-water berth at Middle Quay, Newport. RWE is investing £200 million to develop its largest battery energy storage facility in Pembroke, stabilizing the UK energy market by storing surplus energy for the National Grid. Eni is committing several hundred million pounds to carbon capture and storage at the former Point of Ayr colliery, generating more than 1,000 jobs. Bad Wolf is investing £2 million in two high-end TV productions, contributing £30 million to the Welsh economy. Vantage Data Centers plans a transformative £10 billion investment across south Wales, including repurposing the former Ford Bridgend Engine Plant into a world-class data center campus, creating over 5,000 jobs in construction and operations to meet the demands of the AI sector.
More than 300 business leaders and global investors from 27 countries convened in Newport to explore investment opportunities, joined by the Prince of Wales who visited Welsh businesses and the green technology sector. During the Summit, he attended the main conference and delivered a speech highlighting Wales’ potential for innovation and growth.
First Minister Eluned Morgan emphasized that these funding announcements are a strong vote of confidence in Wales. She highlighted the country’s green credentials, talent, and innovation as key attractions for investors. The First Minister noted that creating the right conditions for foreign investment has already yielded results, citing Vantage’s decision to invest in Wales, and stressed that the next step is ensuring that the jobs and economic benefits from these investments reach all parts of the country.
