Baglan Bay
Baglan Bay (
History
In the 19th century, coal, tinplate and pottery were exported from Baglan Pill.[1] In 1963 BP (trading as British Hydrocarbon Chemicals, Ltd.) opened petrochemical plants at Baglan Bay, partly to benefit from the proximity of the BP oil refinery at Llandarcy, which could supply feedstocks.
The plants produced 125,000 tons of petrochemicals during the first year of operation. The main products were
However, market changes led to the gradual closure of the facility between 1994 and 2004.[4] There were concerns about the incidence of cancer and mortality near the Baglan Bay petrochemical works.[5]
Baglan Energy Park
Following the final closure of BP's Baglan Bay plant in 2004, the site was re-developed by BP, the
New facilities are under construction for Shield Medicare Ltd (a subsidiary of US sanitation supply company Ecolab) and the University of Glamorgan’s Hydrogen research and demonstration centre.[9] Developer TCN UK is planning to develop a 57,000 sq ft (5,300 m2). development called The Exchange which is expected to provide office space for 400 workers.[10]
Awards
Baglan Energy Park won an award for best practice in regeneration at the British Urban Regeneration Association Awards (BURA) in December 2007,[11] and the Local Government Chronicle and Health Service Journal Sustainable Communities regeneration award in February 2008.[12]
Plans
A wholly owned BP company, Abernedd Power Ltd, proposed a further two natural gas-fired power stations with a total generation capacity of 870 MW of electricity. The scheme reached the planning stage. Construction was due to start in 2010 to meet a projected shortfall in power generation capacity in the UK and Wales within the next 4 to 6 years. However, a revised plan for a smaller power station of 450 MW was approved. SSE now own the project and have submitted a variation to the plans to enable them to build an open cycle gas turbine power station.[13] St. Modwen Properties acquired 1,050 acres (4.2 km2) of BP-owned land in April 2009 with a view to developing the land for employment-led purposes.[14]
Nearest places
Notes
- ^ The Welsh Academy Encyclopedia of Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press 2008
- ^ "Britain Gets New Petrochemicals Complex". Chem. Eng. News. 41, 43: 112–3. 28 October 1963.
- ^ Grace's Guide to British Industrial History. "W. R. Grace". Grace's Guide. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ BP Closes Final Manufacturing Plant at Baglan Bay
- PMID 7795735.
- ^ Baglan Energy Park[permanent dead link]
- ^ Baglan Energy Park – Existing Businesses Archived 2007-09-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Press Releases – 26 April 2007 Archived 21 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Baglan Energy Park – Projects Under Construction Archived 2007-09-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 400 job office development scheme for Port Talbot - Wales Online 5 August 2008
- ^ NPT CBC - Press Release - Baglan Energy Park scoops top Regeneration Award
- ^ NPT CBC - Press Release - Baglan Energy Park is leading the way in regeneration
- ^ "Abernedd". Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
- ^ WalesOnline - St Modwen to transform BP site at Baglan Bay