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A marine engineering firm in Caerphilly has expanded its site with the support of a six-figure loan from Lloyds Bank.

Edwards Diving Services has purchased a new 9,000 sq ft property next door to its current premises on Pontygwindy Industrial Estate.

The company will use the new site to diversify into new areas, including development of eco-friendly microhydroelectric technology, which uses flowing water to generate electricity.

Additionally, the firm has invested in new equipment to perform sonar inspections.

The cutting-edge technology means it can take measurements underwater and identify problems from hundreds of metres away. This will enable the business to deliver more complex projects for new and existing customers.

Edwards Diving Services offers a range of underwater engineering services, from installing metal structures to the isolation and maintenance of reservoirs.

As well as working on a number of high-profile jobs in the UK – including repairs on the historical Palace Pier in Brighton and diving in a tunnel 30m deep at Talybont Reservoir – the firm has established a strong reputation abroad, working on projects in Sweden, France, Italy and Kuwait.

The business has taken on nine new members of staff during the past 12 months and is hoping that the new expansion will mean it can increase its team of nearly 50 employees even further in the coming months.

Paul Edwards, director at Edwards Diving Services, said: “Demand for our services has gradually increased over the past few years and the time was right for us to look at expanding our premises here in Caerphilly.

“It gives us the capacity to offer even more services for our customers with new equipment and research into new areas, as well as continue to grow our team, to stand us in good stead for the future.”