A landmark deal has been struck to use British Steel on one the world’s biggest offshore wind plants being built at Teesworks.
Steel work is being erected as major progress continues on the £450m SeAH Wind monopile manufacturing facility at South Bank. The 800-metre-long building will be the world’s biggest monopile facility when complete and is the first of its kind in the UK.
The 40m high factory will annually produce up to 200 monopiles – which form the foundations of offshore wind turbines.
A new £100m-plus deal between SeAH, British Steel and Severfield has now been signed which will see steel from British Steel’s Teesside Beam Mill at Lackenby, near Redcar, used in the giant development. Northallerton-based Severfield will also fabricate the steel ahead of it being installed on the 90-acre site.
Almost 400 people are now working on the site, with more jobs expected towards the end of 2023 and early in 2024 – with 750 direct jobs in total and 1,500 forecast in the supply chain.
British Steel will supply more than 30,000 tonnes of steel under the agreement, with recycled steel from former steelworks sites used in the new construction.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our steel built the world from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Canary Wharf. Now from our proud past we’re building a bright future in the industries of tomorrow – and we’re making use of what we do best. This once again shows how SeAH and the firms we’re bringing to the Teesworks site are fully behind having a local workforce at the heart of making Teesside the green energy capital of the UK.
“It’s essential Teesworks creates jobs, opportunities and prosperity right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool. Having British Steel at the heart of this game-changing project really is a massive boost, as it means we can make use of our talent and expertise in steelmaking and secure jobs for the future at home.”
South Korean manufacturer SeAH’s factory will comprise 1.13million sq ft of high-quality factory space to produce monopiles up to 120 metres in length, 15.5 metres in diameter and weighing 3,000 tonnes.
The monopiles will be transported directly from the factory to Teesworks’ new South Bank Quay facility before heading to the North Sea for installation using specialised pile driving equipment.
Chris Musgrave OBE, Teesworks chairman, said: “It’s fantastic to have SeAH Wind at Teesworks, and to have British Steel as supplier and Severfield as the metal fabricator are massive boosts to our wider steel industry.
“This will further secure jobs at Lackenby and shows Teesworks, and firms like SeAH, are committed to ensuring local labour is used so we make the best use of what we have nearby.”
Ben Cunliffe, British Steel’s commercial director for construction, said: “We’re extremely proud that our steel manufactured at Teesside Beam Mill is going into this hugely impressive development by SeAH Wind, and we are delighted to play our part in the exciting regeneration happening on our doorstep in Teesside.
“While we have a rich heritage having supplied many iconic buildings across the globe, we’re focused on the future and delivering the high-quality products our customers require.
“Teesside and British Steel remain at the forefront of UK steelmaking, and we look forward to working with our partners both on this huge project for SeAH Wind and beyond in the continued levelling up and transformation of the area.”
Chris Sohn, CEO of SeAH Wind, said: This significant step re-confirms SeAH’s commitment to use not only local companies in the Teesside area, but also work with the best companies in the UK to help build our factory to the highest standards. Bringing large steel manufacturing capability to Teesside, such as our XXL monopile factory after the closure of the Redcar blast furnace in 2015, shows that the area is the epicentre once again of the next industrial “green” revolution."
K2 Construction Management is the company with responsibility to deliver the SeAH Wind project.
Cllr Alec Brown, Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: “There is a huge affinity with British Steel for many families in Redcar and Cleveland and it is excellent news that the company will contribute to a major development on the Teesworks site.
“The successful development of the site will be transformational for our borough and we look forward to SeAH Wind employing hundreds of people and providing work for many more in the construction sector and supply chain.”
More than 2,000 jobs were lost when the steelworks shut in 2016 - sending shockwaves through Teesside’s economy and destroying many livelihoods.
Six firms have signed up to Teesworks with the site expected to be almost full within 18 months, it was revealed at a Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting in July. As well as SeAH Wind, there is also Circular Fuels and Net Zero Teesside.
During the meeting, politicians also questioned the Tory mayor over Teesworks. An investigation into the scheme is currently underway following allegations of corruption by Labour Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald. The government has previously stated it has seen no evidence of corruption, wrongdoing or illegality.
