FOLLOWING the announcement on Monday (Nov 21) that Valero Energy Ltd has submitted plans for a proposed £100 million investment to build a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Cogeneration Unit at the Pembroke Refinery, local politicians have welcomed the news.

The 45 megawatt unit under review by Valero will provide power to the refinery, as well as supplement the refinery’s steam demand. With the UK refining industry facing numerous challenges, the project aims to ensure Pembroke Refinery – which is one of the leading employers in south Wales and is one of Europe’s largest and most complex refineries – continues to be successful in the competitive global market.

Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Jamie Adams, said: “This follows a couple of years of particularly successful trading by Valero’s Pembroke refinery.

“We see it as a sign of confidence in the plant by the operators. It also reflects well on the staff at the refinery and the local support network of engineering skills based here in Pembrokeshire.

“If the scheme goes ahead, the Combined Heat and Power Cogeneration Unit will be one of the many efforts being made by Valero to make the refinery competitive in a global market which we welcome.”

Stephen Crabb MP said: “The proposed investment at Valero is most welcome and a timely boost for the Pembrokeshire economy.

“An investment of this scale is a big vote of confidence in the quality of the management and workforce of the Pembroke refinery, and shows its importance as an employer in our county.”

Simon Hart MP also commented on the announcement, saying: “I am really delighted by this news. This announcement is a terrific boost for the area and shows that Valero has confidence in the skills and dedication of our workforce.

“Coming so soon after the company took on over 80 people whose jobs were at risk following the collapse of MPE, it is another reminder of how vital Valero is to Pembrokeshire”

Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates, said the announcement “is significant and encouraging news for Pembrokeshire  and the Haven Enterprise Zone

“Valero is a very important employer in the area supporting over a thousand  families who rely on the employment and very well paid jobs offered by the refinery.

“Following the closure of the Murco refinery in 2014, Valero is now one of only six strategic refineries in the UK. While at the very early stages of development this move by Valero shows that  industry has the continued confidence to invest in Wales.”

Keith Lewis, Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for the economy, told the BBC: “We’ve gone through a period of losing jobs and this is really good news for the economy of Pembrokeshire and for the people who work in Valero.”

Ed Tomp, Valero Vice President and General Manager, said on Monday: “Valero has submitted plans to the Planning Inspectorate Wales to build a Cogeneration Unit at Pembroke Refinery. This would be a significant investment by Valero in Pembroke, demonstrating a huge vote of confidence in what the workforce has achieved since the company acquired the plant in August 2011.”

Tomp continued: “This project is at the heart of our plans to maintain the refinery’s viability for the long-term and help secure future jobs in the refining sector in Pembrokeshire and West Wales. We are at the early stages with this proposal and won’t make a final decision until next year. We will continue to keep key stakeholders informed as these plans progress.”