A BREWERY which is harnessing green technology is set to create 50 new jobs, after planners gave the go ahead for a new two-storey building with 10,015 sq m of floorspace.

The structure at the Budweiser-owned InBev Brewery in Magor will house eight 12m-high bright beer tanks and a production line for ‘Perfect Draught’ kegs, plus a control room, canteen, laboratory and office space.

Budweiser Brewing Group revealed last autumn that its £100m hydrogen project will fuel production, heavy goods vehicles and trucks at the plant, making it the first hydrogen-powered brewery in the country.

A report to Monmouthshire Council planners in support of the new building says: “The development is expected to generate numerous new jobs on site as well as further employment opportunities within the brewery’s national supply chain.

“The proposals are critical for the brewery in which to perform their operations as a key major employer within the local community.

“It is estimated that approximately 50 new jobs will be created at the Magor brewery as a result of the proposals.”

The new 16m-high building is planned to be delivered in two stages, with the ground floor production line for filling beer kegs completed first.

Products will be distributed to the brewery’s logistics hubs in Leeds and Lille in France before going on to customers.

Council planners gave the go ahead for the new building, on an area of hardstanding, and small sections of grassland and woodland, with conditions, including the approval of a tree planting scheme to replace lost woodland.

The council’s bio-diversity officer had raised concerns over the loss of a “priority habitat”.

Last year, BBG revealed plans for the UK’s first hydrogen-powered brewery by 2024, saying it would save 15,500 tonnes of carbon emissions annually from 2027.

The firm already powers its brewery operations at the site with 100 per cent renewable electricity from solar farms and an on-site wind turbine.

Mauricio Coindreau, head of sustainability and procurement at the company, said energy solutions like hydrogen had “huge potential” in helping to cut the firm’s UK carbon footprint.

The group will be working with UK-based hydrogen energy firm Protium to deliver the plans.