Have any licences been requested from the Welsh Government in relation to the development of energy generation for the Ford manufacturing plant in Bridgend?
Substantive approaches from organisations seeking to reduce energy costs for the Ford manufacturing plant have been introduced to Ford.
In 2014 Ford were awarded support through Welsh Government’s Environmental Protection Scheme investing in carbon reduction technology to bring energy cost efficiencies to the plant.
In December 2014, Ford installed a 500 kW wind turbine at the Bridgend Engine Plant, providing low carbon electricity directly to the plant. The wind turbine project was designed to complement existing sustainability measures at the site, further reducing emissions associated with plant operations.
Coastal Oil and Gas own the exclusive licence for oil & gas exploration in the Brocastle area adjacent to Ford but would require an environmental permit and planning consent before any exploration takes place. Any such application would be subject to Planning Policy Wales Edition 10 and no exploratory drilling could be conducted without the consent of the Welsh Ministers.
As explained under WAQ78471, officials have introduced companies to Ford, with a view to reducing their energy costs. Details of these companies remain commercially in confidence.