Leading Newport-based electrical systems integrator IAC Ltd welcomed a high level delegation from top global consortium The Power Construction Corporation of China, Power China.

IAC Ltd, which is based at Queensway Meadows in the city, has been broadening its exposure to the global markets. It targeted China as an area in which it believes it can grow it business.

The business, which employs 75 people, undertakes complex integration projects both in the UK and overseas, for a huge range of industries including paper, metals pharmaceuticals, materials handling, food, chemicals, printing, textiles, water and nuclear power.

IAC Ltd managing director Peter Lewis, who welcomed the Chinese delegates to Queensway Meadows, said: “Power China is a conglomeration of some 70 companies with a combined annual turnover of in excess of $250bn.

"The delegation we welcomed to IAC comprised senior managers from several divisions, 11 in total."

Mr Lewis said the delegates were principally in Wales from China to meet and get an agreement, a memorandum of understanding with Tidal Energy – the company involved in the Swansea tidal barrage scheme.

“We have spoken to them in the past and are hopeful that now, as a result of this visit to our headquarters here in Newport, that we will be able to firm up agreements to do business with them in future."

Among the delegation which toured the IAC plant were Wang Hugen, president of equipment and manufacturing unit, Power Construction; Wu Guang Chen, manager of strategy development, Shanghai Power Equipment Manufacturing Co; Cheng Dao Jun, executive director, Shanghai Power Equipment Manufacturing Co, and Luo Jiacong, executive director, Shanghai Power Equipment Manufacturing Co.

Mr Lewis, who is no stranger to China having visited the country on several occasions in a business development capacity, said: “We have been asked to go back to Shanghai in a couple of months and look at two refurbishment projects at power stations. We will be looking at machinery used in stock yards, probably coal tippers and stacker reclaimers.”

Mr Lewis said he was hopeful, that the planned trip to China could produce very positive results for IAC Ltd.

The Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), which employs some 200,000 people, was founded in September 2011. The company consists of Sinohydro Corporation with 32 subsidiaries, Hydro China Corporation with 12 subsidiaries, China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, 12 survey and design institutes, 23 construction companies, and 18 manufacturing and maintenance companies. It provides comprehensive and full-range of services from planning, investigation, designing, consulting, civil works construction to M&E installation and manufacturing services in the fields of hydropower, thermal power, new energy and infrastructure. Its business also extends into real estate, investment, finance, and O&M services.

Power China says its vision is to become a top global enterprise in renewable energy and the development of hydropower resources, a key player in the infrastructure sector, and a driving force in China's power and water conservancy industries, as well as an important participant in real estate development and operations.