Ebbw Vale’s National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) – a joint venture between the Welsh Labour Government and global technology company, Thales – is set to become home to the development of wide-ranging cybersecurity solutions for the world-leading power generation company, GE Steam Power.
The NDEC is intended to deliver advanced Research and Development, engage local people through education outreach, and open up cyber trust expertise for major employers and small businesses in Wales, in partnership with the University of South Wales.
The centre has already injected £1m into the local economy with 20 local suppliers based in Ebbw Vale and has employed over 90 per cent of its start-up staff from the local area.
Eluned Morgan, Minister for International Relations, said:
“Establishing the NDEC helps raise Wales’s profile on the world’s digital technology map and I am really pleased to hear Thales is bringing its recently secured contract with GE Steam Power to Ebbw Vale.
This is further evidence that Wales’ reputation continues to grow as a tech nation and a cyber-security hotspot, and being able to call Wales home is having significant benefits for Cyber firms.
I look forward to discussing further opportunities for Thales’ relationship with Wales when I meet their Cyber Security CEO Laurent Maury in the US this week.”
Speaking about the NDEC’s success so far, Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates said:
“A year on from our announcement that Thales would be coming to Ebbw Vale to develop the NDEC with us, I’m delighted the project is meeting its milestones, has already injected £1m into the local economy, and will be working to deliver a part of a major new contract for Thales.
From PhD students to apprentices, staff to suppliers, the NDEC is acting as a catalyst for technology growth and economic success in the valleys. It is at the very heart of our Tech Valleys initiative which will help transform the South Wales economy to one of Research and Development, innovation and long term prosperity. This centre provides a fantastic basis on which to deliver all of this.”