ANGLESEY is set for a massive jobs boost after the announcement of a preferred bidder for a former aluminium smelting site was made yesterday.
Anglesey Aluminium named Lateral Power Ltd as the preferred bidder for the operational site in the latest move to secure more than 1000 long term jobs for the Island.
Lateral Power are expected to provide sustainable electricity to the national grid through the construction of a biomass power station on the site, near Holyhead.
The biomass station, which will create 400 new jobs, will be part of a larger Eco Park, which will use the water and heat produced for innovative manufacturing and production processes, such as the creation of a sustainable fresh fish and vegetable farm.
Earlier this year, Anglesey Aluminium sold part of their land to tourism developers Land and Lakes Ltd, who plan to build a world class holiday resort that could create up to 600 jobs.
Brian King, works director at Anglesey Aluminium, said: “With the proposed Eco Park from Lateral Power and the Leisure Village from Land and Lakes we hope that over 1,000 long term jobs will be created, supporting economic activity across Anglesey and Wales and providing a legacy for the local community.”
The news comes as a major boost for the Island, which was severely affected when Anglesey Aluminium ceased smelting operations in September 2009.
The move resulted in 400 employees being made redundant.
Anglesey MP Albert Owen said: “The next stage is to ensure that the employment opportunities are available to the local community and that the company links with the schools, training providers and governments to ensure there is a provision of the right skills locally.
“It has taken almost two years to get to today's announcement, but along with the Land and Lakes proposal creating 600 jobs, Anglesey can shout it is open for business and is in the fast lane for quality and sustainable jobs to aid the economic recovery."
Anglesey AM Ieuan Wyn Jones also welcomed the announcement.
“400 new jobs is fantastic news for the Island and couldn’t come at a better time as these jobs are sorely needed here,” he said.
“A lot of people have worked hard behind the scenes to bring these new jobs to Anglesey since the aluminium works stopped smelting two years ago and they deserve our thanks.”
Council Leader, Cllr Bryan Owen, added: “This is great news for the Island and a potentially huge investment towards the long term sustainability of our local economy.”