Staff at Pembroke Refinery welcomed Labour Regional Assembly Member Eluned Morgan, on Tuesday, where the Mid and West Wales AM learnt more about Valero’s proposals for a £100 million investment in a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Cogeneration Unit.

The Mid and West Wales AM boarded a site minibus to tour the planned construction site where the facility will be located, along with members of the refinery leadership and the CHP Unit project team. The proposed project will provide power to the refinery as well as supplement the site’s steam demand, helping enable Wales’ only oil refinery and one of the largest regional employers to maintain its global competitiveness.

Following the site tour, Baroness Morgan also took time to talk with a group of female Valero members of staff to discuss opportunities for women in industry, and what can be done to improve the take up of STEM-related subjects by girls in school.

Eluned Morgan said: “Valero is hugely important not only to the economy of Pembrokeshire but right across Wales. These proposals show a real commitment to the plant in Pembroke, safeguarding jobs and providing sustainability for the years ahead.

“Developing our infrastructure and building up our skills base is vital to the future prosperity of our rural economy. It is a discussion I am having with business leaders and academics as we work to create a new economic plan for rural Wales. I am especially pleased that Valero is doing so much in supporting apprenticeships and encouraging women into the industry.”

Stephen Thornton, Valero Refinery public affairs manager, said: “Valero’s proposed plans for a CHP Cogeneration Unit at Pembroke is a massive vote of confidence in the workforce here at the refinery, and it is great to be able to share our plans in greater detail with Eluned Morgan. By making the refinery more competitive with our global peers, this project will help secure employment in the Pembrokeshire refining sector and allow us to continue providing high quality, well paid job opportunities for people in Pembrokeshire, especially as we work to champion roles within industry to women.”