South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SEWCJC, otherwise known as Cardiff Capital Region) has issued the findings and recommendations of its Independent Review into the procurement of the former Aberthaw Power Station demolition.
SEWCJC commissioned the review following serious concerns raised through the legal challenge in 2025 brought against Cardiff Council, in relation to the demolition contract at the former Aberthaw Power Station in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Led by the global advisory firm Deloitte, the review was extensive, taking a ‘no stone left unturned’ approach to the process which examined the circumstances surrounding the procurement, SEWCJC said.
The end-to-end review of the procurement process found no deliberate wrongdoing or misconduct on the part of those involved but identified errors and breakdown in the process. Through the review, findings and recommendations were identified relating to the procurement process and bid evaluation, which will be addressed as a priority, SEWCJC added.
Cllr. Mary Ann Brocklesby, Chair of South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee and Leader for Monmouthshire Council, said:
“To maintain transparency and impartiality, SEWCJC has commissioned this review as the sole shareholder of CCR Energy Ltd, and to establish the circumstances surrounding the procurement and legal challenge.
“Plainly, there are many lessons to be learnt, and I have confidence that every effort will be made to fully implement the recommendations of the review.”
Kellie Beirne, Chief Executive of Cardiff Capital Region, added:
“CCR is accountable as a public body to our communities, our partners and beyond. We have evolved over the last decade from a City Deal into an organisation that is committed and remains, a strong and impactful partnership representing our ten local authorities. We continue to demonstrate results on major investment programmes that we have successfully secured and delivered.”
Paul Matthews, Chair of CCR Energy Ltd and Chief Executive of Monmouthshire Council, said:
“As the newly appointed Chair, our focus is ensuring that the Aberthaw demolition and partial remediation progresses to plan. We welcome the work and its recommendations, which will guide our action plan and next steps. This will give us a solid governance platform so that significant opportunities including the potential to achieve both circular economy and commercial outcomes from the 18m tonnes of pulverised fuel ash, can be delivered.”
The legal challenge and its related costs have been fully funded from commercial returns with no impact on core Cardiff Capital Region programme budgets or any requirement for further public funding.
The summary report has been produced by SEWCJC following the work by Deloitte in undertaking the independent review and has not been produced by them. A copy of the full report has been provided to Audit Wales along with the summary report produced by SEWCJC.
To read the summary report and Cardiff Capital Region action plan, click here.
