Wales Investment Summit Secures £16 Billion in New Investment and Over 10,000 Planned Jobs
The Welsh Government has confirmed more than £16 billion of new investment commitments and over 10,000 planned jobs, following a landmark gathering of more than 300 global investors and business leaders at the Wales Investment Summit in Newport.
Held at the International Convention Centre Wales, the Summit brought together delegates from 27 countries to explore opportunities across Wales’ fast-growing sectors, including green energy, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, AI, and creative industries.
Major Investments Announced
A series of high-value commitments were unveiled during the Summit, including:
- Vodafone – £600 million: Expansion of 5G Standalone (5GSA) to reach 99% of Wales, improving connectivity for an additional 2 million people.
- Vantage Data Centers – £10 billion: A transformational development across south Walse, including the redevelopment of the former Ford Bridgend Engine Plant into a world-class data centre campus expected to create more than 5,000 jobs.
- RWE – £200 million: Construction of the company’s largest battery-energy storage facility in Pembroke to support the UK’s electricity grid.
- Eni – Several hundred million pounds: A major carbon-capture and storage project at Point of Ayr in Flintshire, projected to create over 1,000 jobs.
- GE Aerospace Wales – £19 million: Modernisation of its Nantgarw facility, supporting over 1,350 skilled engineers and specialists.
- Associated British Ports – £42 million: Strategic upgrades across five Welsh ports, including a new deep-water berth in Newport.
- Bad Wolf – £2 million: Production of two high-end TV series, expected to contribute £30 million to the Welsh economy.
These announcements build on the £4.6 billion in inward investment revealed in the days leading up to the Summit, including £2.5 billion linked to the new nuclear power station at Wylfa.
First Minister: “A huge vote of confidence in Wales”
Opening the Summit, First Minister Eluned Morgan highlighted the scale of new commitments and Wales’ strengths in innovation, green technology and advanced manufacturing:
“These major funding announcements, totalling billions of pounds, are a huge vote of confidence in Wales.”
“The next step is ensuring the jobs and economic benefits reach each and every part of Wales.”
She also reiterated her ambition to make Wales the fastest nation in the UK for securing planning permission, improving the country’s competitiveness for future investment.
The Prince of Wales Highlights Wales’ Global Opportunity
The Summit was attended by The Prince of Wales, whose involvement added significant international visibility to the event and reinforced Wales’ position as an emerging hub for future-focused industries.
During the Summit, the Prince:
- Met Welsh businesses and innovators exhibiting at the Summit showcase
- Spoke with leaders in the green technology and semiconductor sectors
- Toured the newly opened KLA semiconductor facility in Newport
- Delivered a speech during the main conference describing Wales as having reached a “significant moment” for investment as global industries transition toward clean energy and advanced technologies
In his remarks, he emphasised Wales as a place where:
“Cutting-edge technology, research, innovation and a skilled workforce meet here in Wales.”
Global Investors Highlight Wales’ Strategic Opportunity
Delegates from major international companies, including Nvidia, Vodafone and GE, attended the Summit to explore opportunities in:
- AI and digital technologies
- Semiconductors
- Clean energy and storage
- Creative industries
- Port and industrial infrastructure
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle also addressed delegates, emphasising the importance of Wales in the UK’s next phase of industrial and technological growth.
Reeves described Wales as central to the UK’s ambitions in AI, semiconductors and clean energy, stating:
“In the same way that Wales powered the last Industrial Revolution, I’m determined that Wales plays its core part in this new one.”
A Pivotal Moment for Wales’ Economic Future
With major commitments spanning digital infrastructure, clean energy, aerospace, port upgrades and creative industries, the Wales Investment Summit marked a significant milestone in Wales’ economic development.
CBI Chief Executive Rain Newton-Smith described the gathering as:
“A moment for Wales to showcase itself to the world.”
The Welsh Government and industry partners now aim to build on the momentum generated at the Summit to ensure investment translates into long-term economic benefit across all parts of Wales.