Japanese electronics giant Panasonic has today confirmed a new fuel cell product research and development facility at its plant in Cardiff.
The company said the £2m facility would develop and adapt fuel cell products for the domestic market.
The investment, although it will only create a handful of new posts, is a positive development in terms of providing added value to Panasonic’s operation in Wales, which has seen significant redundancies in recent years.
Panasonic has been manufacturing combined heat and power fuel cell systems for homes in Japan for a number of years and plans to introduce similar products to the UK and Europe markets.
The R&D investment is being backed with £450,000 in funding from the Welsh Government.
Business Minister Edwina Hart welcomed the investment. She said:”Panasonic is one of the global leaders in this low-carbon technology and its excellent news they have chosen Wales for this prestigious research programme.
“I welcome the official confirmation today and am delighted the Welsh Government helped secure the investment with £456,000 support from our Research, Development and Innovation funding programme.”
The new centre, due to open in September, will adapt and modify fuel cell products for the UK and European markets. Fuel cells convert fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas into electricity through an electro chemical reaction and the heat generated warms buildings.
The aim is to provide the majority of the heating , hot water and electricity requirements of a typical United Kingdom home with a much reduced carbon foot print .
Mr. T Shimizu , head of Panasonic’s Fuel Cell Business Group, said that given the historic links to Wales of hydrogen fuel cell development it was appropriate that the company’s Cardiff operation would have a pivotal role in developing future products.
The announcement was made at the National Eisteddfod’s Science and Technology pavilion where Panasonic is participating as part of a wider exhibition on Welshman Sir William Robert Grove, the Swansea judge, inventor and physicist, who developed the first basic fuel cell in 1842.
