Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Wales, announced the South Wales LCEA on a visit to Baglan Renewable Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Centre in Port Talbot.

‘There are enormous opportunities to be exploited from clean, reliable hydrogen power,’ says Hain. ‘By designating this LCEA in South Wales, we are able to capitalize on existing expertise and skills that will bring economic advantages to Wales, and the rest of the UK.’

Vehicles driving along the M4 motorway in Wales will be able to refuel with hydrogen (or recharge, if electric) as part of the first phase to extend the low-carbon refueling corridor along the motorway. It will create the UK’s longest hydrogen highway, with strategically placed multi fuel filling and recharging points.

The University of Glamorgan in Wales has simultaneously announced that it will be investing £6.3 million (US$9.9 million) to develop new processes, products, and services as part of the H2 Wales project. The investment is funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It will create 23 new research staff positions over the next three years, and a further 63 permanent hydrogen energy jobs.