ASSOCIATED British Port’s network of five ports – which includes Barry - handled more than 12.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2015.

The company also launched an array of renewable energy projects and significant new investments, move the sites towards further energy self-sufficiency. Heavy investment has resulted in several wind and solar projects that collectively generated 7.8 million units of electricity in 2015.

Projects include the 4.5MWp Barry solar array that was commissioned in August 2015.

The solar project was the result of an investment of more than £5 million.

The ports are also currently trialling the use of electric vehicles.

These projects serve to reduce the amount of carbon emissions produced by the ports with the energy generated used to power port operations. Any surplus energy is then exported to the national grid.

An additional £4 million was invested in new cargo handling equipment and operational equipment at the ports.

This growth has resulted in the permanent workforce at the ports increasing. The operations department has grown by 10 per cent to accommodate customer demand.

As well as welcoming a wide variety of businesses through the lock gates, the ports also serve as a hub for many customers due to their strong network of transport links via road, rail, and sea.

ABP Director South Wales, Matthew Kennerley, said he was pleased with the developments across the five ports over the past year.

“Investments throughout 2015 have allowed us to further develop a service tailored to our customer’s needs," he said. "The ports continue to be a thriving and unique landscape where businesses can grow and generate strong trade links. We have further investments planned for 2016 that encompass a wide range of port activity.

“The result of ABP’s South Wales operations is an annual contribution of almost

£1 billion to the Welsh economy. The vast assortment of businesses that use the ports also means that 15,000 Welsh jobs are supported by them along with an additional 6,000 supported in the rest of the UK.”