Welsh Conservative Leader Darren Millar MS has written to the new Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Kinnock MP, calling for urgent action to prevent delays to the delivery of the new electric arc furnace at Port Talbot.
The intervention follows concerns that delays to National Grid's electricity connection could hold up the project, creating further uncertainty for steelworkers, their families and the wider supply chain.
In his letter, Mr Millar asks the UK Government to explain what action it is taking to ensure the necessary grid infrastructure is delivered as quickly as possible and to guarantee that the overall timetable for the electric arc furnace is maintained.
The Welsh Conservative Leader asks the Secretary of State to confirm what discussions have taken place with National Grid and Tata Steel regarding the reported delays and what steps the UK Government is taking to accelerate delivery of the grid connection.
Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said:
"The people of Port Talbot have already put up with broken promises from Labour and years of uncertainty. They cannot afford another delay to a project that is vital to the future of steelmaking in Wales.
"Reports that National Grid may not deliver the electricity connection on time and therefore delay the whole project are deeply concerning. The UK Government must now demonstrate that it is doing everything possible to keep this project on track.
"Labour promised steelworkers it would secure the long-term future of Port Talbot. That promise has already been undermined by the closure of the blast furnaces. Ministers must now ensure there are no further failures that put the future of the electric arc furnace at risk.
"Steelworkers deserve confidence that this project is being treated with urgency. The UK Government must work with National Grid and Tata Steel to give steelworkers confidence that it is committed to securing the long-term future of steelmaking in Port Talbot."
