"The project will create up to 1, 000 local jobs during the four-year construction phase and 100 local permanent jobs for the 20-year operational life of the project, " he said.

BBC: England

The first phase of the project has been completed with the construction of the Katse dam in Lesotho.

BBC: Dam builders charged in bribery scandal

When the project was officially launched Bangor University said the scheme would create or safeguard 450 jobs during the construction phase, 100 more during the operational stage, and a further 330 jobs through the innovation hub.

BBC: Bangor university's Pontio: Work starts on arts centre