CCR Energy has announced the launch of a pioneering project to transform the former Aberthaw coal-fired power station into a hub for sustainable innovation. This three-month research, development, and feasibility study, funded by the Welsh Government’s SBRI Agri-Food Challenge Programme, will explore the site’s potential for sustainable transformation, engaging stakeholders and developing a roadmap for implementation.
The project will involve collaboration with key partners, including the Welsh Government, the SBRI Centre of Excellence, and Cardiff University. The focus will be on assessing the site’s suitability for integrating advanced Agri-Food technologies, developing a scalable and replicable model, and exploring innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture and food production.
“We are immensely grateful to the Welsh Government and the SBRI Agri-Food Challenge Programme for funding this transformative project,” said Dr. Bettina Bockelmann-Evans from CCR Energy. “This support enables CCR Energy and our partners to pioneer innovative solutions in the Agri-Food sector and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
By reimagining Aberthaw as a low-carbon destination, the project aims to demonstrate how post-industrial landscapes can be repurposed for sustainable development. The focus will be on showcasing modular farming technology and water management systems that can operate autonomously within these environments.
“This project is hugely exciting,” said Dr. Pauline Found from Cardiff University. “It focuses on the regeneration from the coal power station to the sustainable future covering both power and food. What also excites me is developing something that can be a showcase, because we have to engage, we have to excite and we have to warden it so that everybody can understand what is possible in the future and what we’re trying to achieve while looking to achieve full sustainability.”
This initiative aligns with the Welsh Government’s commitment to sustainable development and its efforts to transition to a net-zero economy. By successfully repurposing the Aberthaw site, this project has the potential to serve as a model for the sustainable redevelopment of other former industrial sites across Wales and beyond.
