Alun Griffiths Ltd, of Abergavenny, has been named as preferred bidder for a £25M contract for public realm ancillary works on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project.

The scope of works includes the breakwater surface, roads, slipways, utilities and landscaping.

The contract will be delivered by a local workforce and materials will also be sourced locally.

The firm was founded in 1968 and is a leading Welsh civil engineering company delivering award-winning projects across the private and public sector throughout Wales.

It employs more than 500 people and its commitment to local employment and training was recognised in the recent CITB Apprentice Employer of the Year Awards and is supplemented by its in-house skills academy and education programme.

Key projects for the firm include the Tawe Bridges and Fabian Way Bridge along with phase four of the SA1 Waterfront Development in Swansea.

Alun Griffiths Ltd has already awarded a design engineering contract to Atkins’ Swansea office and a landscape architect contract to TACP, of Cardiff.

Martyn Evans, executive director at Alun Griffiths, said: “We are delighted to be appointed by Tidal Lagoon Power to help deliver this exciting, innovative scheme, securing local jobs both now and in the future.

"This is a major contract for our business and the lagoon will be an iconic piece of infrastructure for Wales. We’ve heard so much about the project and having now seen it at close quarters, I am convinced that the reality will be every bit as compelling as the vision.”

Andrew McNaughton, who last month joined Tidal Lagoon Power as director of engineering and construction, will lead the delivery of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon.

He said: “In delivering the early phase works for TLSB, Alun Griffiths will take us a step closer to realising our vision. Its use of a local workforce and materials underlines our commitment to the community of Swansea.”

Roger Evans, chair of the Tidal Lagoon Industry Advisory Group, said: “The appointment of Alun Griffiths Limited is a reflection of the developer’s commitment to ensuring that the Wales supply chain is fully able and prepared to realise the economic benefits of this game-changing development. Further works packages will be tendered over the coming months and we are encouraged that the other tier one contractors announced so far are being proactive in their engagement with Welsh industry giving us the opportunity to harness the power of this major £1bn investment in Wales.”

Following advanced works and value engineering, a fixed price contract will be signed later this year for the main build. Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay Plc has also run tenders for the project’s marine works package, the result of which will be announced shortly. Further tenders for the construction of a Turbine Assembly Plant in Wales, and for the lagoon’s public realm and buildings work will proceed through the summer.