Cardiff manufacturing solar: Celsa Steel UK (CF24 — electric arc furnace, IETF 40-50%, highest IETF tier in UK); steel supply chain (rebar fabrication, wire drawing); Cardiff manufacturing corridor (Rover Way, Wentloog). Welsh Government Business Wales grant co-funding for SME decarbonisation. IETF + Welsh grants: effective capex reduction 55-65%. Self-consumption EAF steelmaking: 92-96%. Payback Celsa supply chain: 2.5-3.5 years.
Local context — Cardiff
Cardiff manufacturing solar: Celsa Steel electric arc furnace IETF 40-50% — highest tier in UK. Welsh Government Business Wales co-funding. 2.5-3.5 year payback for IETF qualifying operators. 92-96% self-consumption continuous steel manufacturing.
Recent install — Cardiff
A 2 MW solar install at a Cardiff steel supply chain fabrication facility (rebar cutting and bending). IETF 40%: £560k grant. AIA: £350k (on £1.4m residual). Net effective capex: £590k. Annual saving (91% self-consumption, 26p/kWh): £388k. After-grant payback: 1.5 years.
Common questions — manufacturing in Cardiff
Is Celsa Steel Cardiff the best IETF commercial solar opportunity in Wales?
Yes — Celsa Steel's electric arc furnace operation qualifies at the highest IETF tier (electric arc steelmaking is the most energy-intensive IETF category). Celsa's scale also means the grant could be at or near the £10m maximum award. The steel supply chain businesses surrounding Celsa in CF24 are also IETF-eligible at 30-45% — smaller scale but similar economics per kW.