RWE npower has welcomed the approval by the Energy Minister for a new 2000MW, state-of-the-art, Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power station near Pembroke.

Works will commence shortly and up to 2000 people are likely to be employed during peak construction. The new power station will create over 100 high quality, long term, operational jobs and will provide an ongoing investment of more than £10 million per year into the local economy.

Andrew Duff, chief executive of RWE npower, said: "The Government's consent for Pembroke Power Station represents a vital step to ensuring the delivery of secure, clean energy supplies while providing a significant boost to the economy.

"RWE is proud to be one of the largest investors in the UK with commitments in renewables, clean coal technologies, nuclear and new, highly efficient gas plant. This programme will bring many thousands of jobs to the UK and this effect will be magnified throughout the supply chain at a time when the UK Government has a stated ambition to bring forward investment to support the UK economy."

First Minister for Wales, Rhodri Morgan, said: "We very much welcome the opportunities that this decision will provide for employment of those with the right skills from Pembrokeshire and other parts of Wales. When it is operational, it will diversify Wales' sources of electricity."

Nick Ainger, MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, commented: "This is great news for West Wales. This confirms there is a bright future for the energy industry in West Wales, not only on the five major sites, but also for the many local companies that will benefit in maintenance and support contracts. The construction jobs will follow on from those on the LNG sites which are now almost completed. I will be meeting Alstom, the main contractor, shortly with the Secretary of State for Wales to discuss how to ensure that the highest possible number of local contractors are employed during the construction phase."

Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli Pembroke, commented: "I strongly welcome the decision by the Government to give a green light to this important project. It will provide a tremendous boost for the Pembrokeshire economy at a critical time as well as ensuring that the UK has cleaner and more efficient new energy capacity."

The leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. John Davies, said: "This is the best news we could have hoped for. This new power station will be crucial to the economy, not just of Pembrokeshire, but the whole of South Wales and the UK. The county council has been pleased to work with RWE npower for a very long time on this project and this is the announcement we have been waiting for. At a time when other major construction projects are beginning to wind down, the jobs in building the power station will give a huge and immediate boost to the economy of this county."

RWE npower is committed to supporting the local community and has already identified two apprentices from the area for the project who are currently undergoing training at Bridgend College and Aberthaw Power Station in South Wales. Recruitment events for permanent employment opportunities at the new station will be held in Pembroke and Milford Haven this spring.

RWE npower will continue working with the community to ensure the benefits of the station are felt locally. It will shortly be holding a series of exhibitions in Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven, to inform people about construction activity over the next weeks and months. RWE npower will also be establishing a Local Liaison Committee as an important way of connecting with county, town and community councillors, ensuring local concerns are fully understood and addressed.

The announcement is a further demonstration of RWE npower's role as one of the major employers and investors in Wales. RWE npower already supplies more than one-third of Wales' electricity needs and injects over £50m per year in economic benefits into the local Welsh economy.