Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to design and construct a new £20m facility in Neath Port Talbot, Wales, UK.

The Swansea Bay City Deal-backed facility is led by Neath Port Talbot Council and UK-based Swansea University.

Named SWITCH (South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub) Harbourside, the facility will be situated near Tata Steel’s Port Talbot factory.

SWITCH Harbourside will be a decarbonisation research facility for the metals and steel industry.

It will serve as a purpose-built open-access facility that will develop a collaborative network of experts encompassing academics, business and government to accelerate the region’s transition to net zero energy.

The facility is part of the City Deal Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth project and is anticipated to be completed in 18 months.

Neath Port Talbot Climate Change and Economic Growth cabinet member councillor Jeremy Hurley said that the SWITCH Harbourside project supports Neath Port Talbot Council’s DARE strategy.

Morgan Sindall Construction area director Robert Williams said: “It’s a privilege to play a key role in the SWITCH Harbourside development, which will help the region move towards a net-zero future.

“We are working closely with Neath Port Talbot Council and partners Swansea University to ensure we bring together our experience and knowledge to deliver the best possible outcome for the project.

“This builds on years of development as a responsible business to lessen carbon use in the construction and operation of buildings wherever possible in each project to help us build towards a better future.”