When the innovative Pembrokeshire Technium opens its doors in October, it will bring a new concept to west Wales.

The £13million state-of-the-art development at Pembroke Dock's Cleddau Business Park will tap into the country's expanding energy sector.

The building is set to become a showcase for innovation, research and development.

It aims to broaden the county's economic base, bring in high quality jobs and draw talented local young people back to the county, said Tony Streatfield, Pembrokeshire County Council's inward investment officer.

Already interest has been shown in the Technium, with small companies and people wanting to start energy-related businesses keen to be involved.

Swansea University is committed to establishing a centre of excellence in renewable and sustainable energy resources on site. Researchers will work on projects such as how to minimise wastage while getting electricity ashore, capturing carbon emissions and storing them underground, and looking at legal issues raised by new energy projects.

In the next ten years, Pembrokeshire is set to become the largest provider of energy in the UK. Based on the shores of Milford Haven will be two oil refineries, two Liquefied Natural Gas terminals, two power stations, one of Europe's largest tank storage terminals, a biofuel facility, and wind turbines. A wave energy project will also be located off the coast and there could be additional beneficial spin-offs from many of these energy sources. Talks are already taking place with the wave energy technology company Wave Dragon Limited.

Swansea University research teams will be based in electronic laboratories, mechanical workshop, and offices.

These teams will work on projects such as how to get electricity ashore without too much wastage, capturing carbon emissions and storing them underground.

Agencies including Business Eye, WAG (DEIN) and Wales Trade International will also have offices, and start-up businesses can take up incubation units. Specialist business advice and academic and technical support will be available to them.

The Technium is funded by Objective One (£4.3 million) Pembrokeshire County Council, the Welsh Assembly, Local Regeneration Fund and the University of Wales Swansea.