Panasonic announces up to £20m investment in Wales 

Global electronics company to invest in existing Cardiff facility for rollout of new state-of-the-art net zero power system. 

A major investment by Panasonic aims to strengthen its position as a leading supplier in helping customers achieve net zero. The aim is to make the company’s existing facility on the Pentwyn Industrial Estate near Cardiff a Centre of Excellence for Green Technologies in the UK.

Panasonic Manufacturing UK Ltd in Cardiff, photo courtesy of Welsh Government

Key to this is Panasonic’s new self-sustaining power system, which makes use of a number of different technologies: hydrogen fuel cell generators, solar photovoltaic (PV) generators and storage batteries. The Cardiff facility, which employs some 400 people, will be made a pilot site for this technology – which is at present only in use in at another of the firm’s facilities in Japan. 

Vaughan Gething, Minister for the Economy, says: ‘I’m delighted Panasonic continue to invest in Wales and our shared ambitions for strong economic growth. 

‘I want to extend my sincere thanks to Panasonic for cementing their ongoing commitment to the workforce in Cardiff and to the wider Welsh economy. Not only are they bringing innovative, groundbreaking technology to the Welsh capital but also supporting the Welsh Government’s journey to net zero by 2050. 

‘Meeting those targets requires active industrial policy and a commitment to continue to work with our partners, like Panasonic, to develop and deliver the technologies, infrastructure and projects that bring about a stronger, fairer, and greener Wales.’ 

Mr Masahiro Shinada, President and CEO of Panasonic Corporation, adds: ‘The commitment Wales has shown to cutting carbon emissions and safeguarding the environment for future generations makes it the ideal location for Panasonic’s first deployment of RE100 outside of Japan. We are proud to be working together with Wales towards a green future.’ 

Panasonic will engage with local higher education institutions while developing the project, and the first phase is expected to be operational by 2024.