EmpowerCymru 2025: Meet our Sponsors

We are delighted to have five sponsors of EmpowerCymru 2025; they are all major players in the decarbonisation and net zero space.

We wanted to turn the spotlight onto them and see what they are doing to support Wales in its journey to net zero and a just transition.

PLATINUM SPONSOR
Vale

Vale is one of the largest producer of iron ore, pellets and nickel, and we also have operations in manganese, ferroalloys, copper, gold, silver, and cobalt. We efficiently integrate mines, railways, ships and ports to ship our ore safely to our customers.

We believe that mining is essential for the development of the world and we only serve society by generating prosperity for all and taking care of the planet.

Vale’s Clydach Nickel Refinery began operations in 1902 with groundbreaking carbonyl technology which enables us to refine our nickel feed from Canada and Asia into some of the highest purity nickel pellets and powders in the world.  Our Clydach Nickel Refinery is the only nickel refinery in the UK and one of the largest that serves the European marketplace.

The purity of Vale’s nickel powders and pellets makes our products ideal for specialist applications such as high nickel alloys, as well as plating and stainless-steel applications. Our nickel products are form part of the low-carbon critical minerals needed to build a cleaner, greener future, supporting both decarbonisation and electrification.

What are we doing to support decarbonisation?

Our remediation work, coupled with good water quality in the River Tawe and Swansea Canal, which hug our property, has earned us recognition by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). 

On site, we also have two algae farms, collaborating with Swansea University’s RICE (Reducing Industrial Carbon Emissions) Group, Remmediiate and Algae Products International. Two differing technologies are used to capture Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the nickel refining process and used to grow algae.

The facilities aims to demonstrate that industrially derived CO2 can be captured and rerouted for growing algae, which in turn produces high-value products in the form of protein and pigments. 

GOLD SPONSOR
enfinium

Wales has a proud industrial heritage and now has the opportunity to lead once again in the transition to a low-carbon economy. By embracing this shift, Wales can bring investment and create green jobs in its industrial heartlands, revitalising regions that have long been the backbone of its economy.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is essential for reaching net zero emissions, particularly for industries where no viable low-carbon alternatives exist. These industries—such as energy-from-waste (EfW) and cement – cannot simply switch fuels, making CCS the only feasible solution to reduce their emissions.

The Welsh Government’s proposed approach to CCS rightly prioritises sectors where decarbonisation is not otherwise possible. In their recently published preferred policy, The Welsh Government set out that CCS should be prioritised when (i) there are no reasonable alternatives to reduce emissions, (ii) its deployment does not unnecessarily prolong the use of fossil fuels, and (iii) it makes a clear contribution to wider decarbonisation and the economy.

The independent think tank E33 conducted research on CCS prioritisation which resulted in a similar approach. Their “CCS ladder” prioritised sectors like cement, limestone, and EfW as high climate-value applications for CCS. These industries are difficult to decarbonise due to the nature of their processes and lack of alternatives.

enfinium’s plan to install a carbon capture plant at Parc Adfer, an EfW facility in North Wales, aligns with the Welsh Government’s approach, and the project is advancing through the UK Government’s Track-1 Expansion programme for CCS funding.

In respect of the Welsh Government’s priority principles, firstly, Parc Adfer represents a use-case for CCS where there is no alternative to decarbonise. The carbon emissions from Parc Adfer come from unrecyclable waste, for which the only alternative disposal option is climate-damaging landfill. It is therefore not possible to simply switch fuels to avoid generating this carbon, as managing this waste in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way is the primary purpose of the facility. In respect of climate change, diverting this waste back into landfill and away from Parc Adfer would result in greater greenhouse gas emissions due to the methane produced as waste decays in landfill.

Secondly, deploying CCS at Parc Adfer does not prolong the use of fossil fuels. We want to install CCS so that net zero emissions can be achieved and see equal value in the capture of both fossil and biogenic emissions at Parc Adfer.

This is because, in respect of supporting wider decarbonisation, CCS at EfW facilities like Parc Adfer go beyond reducing emissions—it actively removes CO₂ from the atmosphere. This is because around 50% of the waste entering the facility is biogenic, which means it is made of organic material such as food waste or contaminated paper or card. This material is a natural store of carbon, having absorbed CO₂ from the atmosphere as it grows. By capturing the carbon from this biogenic waste and permanently storing it, we are able to take this CO₂ out of the atmosphere, and thus negate its climate-warming effects. With CCS installed, Parc Adfer would become the largest source of carbon removals in Wales – over 100,000t net every year.

North Wales in particular is well-placed to be an early mover on CCS, due to the progress of the HyNet carbon network. HyNet will provide the infrastructure for transporting and storing CO2, presenting Wales with a golden opportunity to become a global leader in CCS rollout.

We at enfinium stand ready to capitalise on this unique opportunity.

SILVER SPONSOR
Acre

The renewable energy transition in Europe is moving at pace, with ambitious net-zero targets driving large-scale deployment of clean energy. However, challenges around grid capacity, energy storage, and infrastructure development are changing the demand for talent in the sector.

Grid Capacity: A Bottleneck for Renewables

One of the biggest obstacles to the renewable energy transition is grid capacity. Many of Europe’s electricity grids were built for centralised fossil fuel power plants, not for the distributed nature of renewables. The rapid expansion of offshore wind, solar, and decentralised energy resources is straining this ageing infrastructure.

The Role of HVDC in Grid Expansion

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)  enables efficient transmission of electricity over long distances, making it essential for connecting offshore wind farms and improving cross-border electricity trade. Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK are investing heavily in HVDC interconnectors to enhance grid stability.

The expansion of HVDC projects is driving demand for specialised talent, including HVDC system design engineers, grid integration specialists, and project managers. Finding skilled professionals for these roles is becoming increasingly difficult, making recruitment a major challenge.

The Growing Need for Energy Storage

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and other storage technologies are critical for balancing supply and demand in a renewable-led grid. As wind and solar power generation increases, so does the need for flexible storage solutions that can ensure grid stability. This shift is fuelling demand for energy storage engineers, system integration specialists, and optimisation experts.

Other Trends Shaping Talent Demand

Beyond grid capacity and storage, several other factors are influencing the renewable energy job market:

1. Digitalisation & Smart Grids

The adoption of AI-driven grid management, predictive maintenance, and real-time monitoring is transforming energy networks. This shift is creating new opportunities for data scientists, automation specialists, and cybersecurity professionals within the power sector.

2. Offshore Wind Growth

Europe remains at the forefront of offshore wind development, with the UK, Denmark, and the Netherlands leading major projects. Floating wind technology is opening new possibilities in deeper waters, requiring expertise in marine engineering, subsea cable installation, and offshore project management.

3. Hydrogen & Sector Coupling

Green hydrogen is emerging as a key solution for industrial decarbonisation and energy storage. This is generating demand for professionals in electrolyser technology, hydrogen infrastructure, and policy development.

4. Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS)

As industries work to cut emissions, CCUS is gaining traction, particularly in sectors such as cement, steel, and chemicals. Investment in CCUS projects is creating new career opportunities in carbon capture engineering, geological storage, and CO2 transport infrastructure. Professionals with expertise in chemical engineering, process optimisation, and regulatory compliance are in high demand.

Addressing the Skills Gap

The renewable energy sector is facing a skills shortage. Many experienced professionals are retiring, and there is a need to attract and train the next generation of talent.

Companies must take a proactive approach to recruitment, including:

• Reskilling & Upskilling – Training professionals from related industries such as oil & gas and electrical engineering.
• International Hiring – Expanding recruitment efforts beyond domestic markets to source skilled talent globally.
• Industry-Academic Partnerships – Collaborating with universities to develop a pipeline of engineers and technicians.

A Shifting Talent Market

The renewable energy transition is reshaping the European job market. As grid constraints, energy storage, CCUS, and digitalisation redefine the sector, businesses must adapt their recruitment strategies.

HVDC, BESS, offshore wind, hydrogen, and CCUS are creating exciting career opportunities, but the competition for skilled professionals is fierce. Companies that invest in training, strategic hiring, and global talent acquisition will be best placed to thrive in this new landscape. The energy transition is driven by people as much as by technology.

If you’re looking to better understand the current talent landscape and how Acre can support your business in navigating this shift, we’d love to hear from you.

BRONZE SPONSORS
Turley, Copper Communications

Turley are trusted independent advisors working collaboratively with their clients to shape a more sustainable future. They offer expert advisory services for the built environment and beyond.

Copper Communications are a strategic communications consultancy that combines insight, intelligence and creative communications expertise to create measurable impact.

To see the EmpowerCymru programme, click here.