UK, Wales, Port Talbot: Neath Port Talbot Council has approved plans to extend the Margam 275 kV substation, a key step in supporting Tata Steel’s new electric arc furnace at its Port Talbot site.
The extension will include a gas-insulated switchgear hall, demolition of the existing control and amenities building, improved lighting and CCTV, upgraded internal access roads, car parking, a diesel generator, storage facilities, and a water storage tank with a flood defence wall.
Underground cables from the extended substation will connect to a separate facility at Tata Steel, providing electricity for the new arc furnace. Officers recommended approval with a section 106 agreement to maintain an off-site ecological management area for 30 years.
The substation is located near the A4241 Harbour Way, between Tata Steel and the M4, close to the Margam Green Energy Plant.
Cllr Rob Jones described the project as “key” for the future of steelmaking in Port Talbot, while Cllr Tim Bowen urged National Grid to build more sites to capture energy from local wind farms.
The council’s planning committee approved the extension unanimously, marking a significant step forward in the $1.7 B (£1.25 B) project to modernise Tata Steel’s operations. The approval follows the council’s green light for the new electric arc furnace in February 2025.
The upgrade will strengthen the local electricity network, ensure reliable supply for industrial growth, and support the transition to cleaner steelmaking.
Source: Nation Cymru
