Plant closure proposal puts 125 jobs at risk

More than 100 jobs are at risk at an aluminium and renewable energy manufacturing plant.

The Norwegian company Norsk Hydro said its site in Bedwas, Caerphilly county, was among five in Europe facing closure.

The firm blamed weak demand in the industry for its decision and said a consultation with affected employees had begun.

Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru MS for Caerphilly, said: "This is a devastating blow before Christmas."

Some 125 staff are likely to be affected at the plant, which opened in 1971 under ownership of Sapa before changing hands in 2017.

Norsk Hydro's decision will also affect sites in Cheltenham, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.

The company said: "Hydro has decided to consolidate the extrusions operations in Europe with a proposal to close five of its European plants.

"This move is made to optimise the extrusion footprint in Europe and strengthen competitiveness.

"A formal consultation with employee representatives is ongoing and during this process, Hydro will discuss and negotiate solutions in accordance with local UK regulations."

If confirmed the plant is expected to close in 2026.

The consultation will take place with the staff work council, which represents workers at the site.

Its chairman, Michael Vernall, said: "There is never a good time to receive news like this but it's especially hard to take at this time of year.

"We have been hard hit over the last 18 months or so, with things like the tariffs from America on steel and aluminium and importing cars."

Norsk Hydro, he said, had been a good employer, adding: "These jobs will be very difficult to find again."

Whittle called on the Welsh government to ensure those affected would go on to new roles.

He said: "This is a devastating blow before Christmas and if the decision following the consultation period is to close then we need the support of the Welsh government to take urgent steps to make sure there is retraining and, hopefully, new employment opportunities as soon as possible for these highly-skilled workers."

The Welsh government said the news would be worrying for those affected, adding: "We stand ready to offer support to the workforce affected by this decision."