CELTIC Energy has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement that the £150m Global Centre of Rail Excellence project will be developed on the Powys border.

The project, which is set to showcase Wales as a hub for research, development and leading low-carbon rail technology, will provide a lasting legacy at the site – at its opencast mine at Nant Helen and the nearby coal washery at Onllywn – once Celtic Energy closes its final opencast site in Wales later this year.

The company has been working in partnership with the Welsh Government, among other partners, since 2018 when an opportunity to establish an integrated Global Centre of Rail Excellence was identified. The site, which straddles both Powys and Neath Port Talbot local authority areas at the foot of the Brecon Beacons National Park, is a continuation of Celtic Energy’s excellent track record in restoring its opencast sites in exciting and innovative ways to provide long-lasting legacies to local communities.

The facility will support UK train manufacturers with the capacity and capability for rigorous testing of rolling stock and rail infrastructure, from prototype to implementation, while also allowing the testing of electric engines.

The centre will provide a major economic boost to the area, creating around 150 full-time well-paid jobs in one of the most deprived area of Wales.

Will Watson, Celtic Energy chief executive, said: “We are delighted that this project has been given the green light.

“Over the past few years we have been working hard with the Welsh Government, Powys and Neath Port Talbot Council’s, as well as various other private partners, to secure our opencast site for this project which allows the continuation of well-paid jobs and investment in the local area.

“As part of the project we have been committed to ensure that the generations who have previously relied on the coal industry for local employment continue to benefit from access to sustainable employment.

“They will now have opportunities to support and promote the expanding rail industry in Wales and across the UK more widely.”

In helping to bring the project to fruition, Celtic Energy has provided planning, commercial and engineering advice, while also spending over £500,000 in obtaining planning permission for the project’s earthworks. The company will continue its involvement to enhance the project and has pledged to gift all the required land.

Celtic Energy will continue to work to push its other restored sites to create further employment opportunities at Selar and East pit.