New images detailing SeAH Wind Ltd’s “mammoth” £300m offshore wind factory were unveiled this week as the project took yet another step forward.
The facility, part of Teesside’s Freeport, will sit on a 90-acre site adjacent to Teesworks’ £107m heavy-lift South Bank Quay. Its 1.13m sq ft footprint is four times the size of the Riverside Stadium and, when complete, will be the largest facility of its type in the world.
The factory services the offshore wind sector, producing monopiles that form the foundations of offshore wind turbine construction, and will create 1,500 jobs in the supply chain and during construction when work begins in July. Once operational, a further 750 roles will be created.
SeAH Wind is also set to hold an event to meet local supply chain companies to inform them on how they can get involved in the work, being led by construction consultants K2 Consultancy, on April 20 at Sedgefield’s Hardwick Hall.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “2022 is our year of construction and we are rebuilding a new skyline for Teesside, one that looks to the future and is creating hundreds of well-paid jobs in the cleaner, healthier and safer industries of tomorrow.
“It’s fantastic to see that both SeAH Wind and its construction consultants, K2 Consultancy, are committed to employing local workers and using the region’s talent and suppliers to deliver the facility. These aren’t just fancy pictures, they’ll start to be a reality, with spades in the ground coming in just a few short months.
President and CEO of SeAHSteel Holdings, Joosung Lee, added: “After acknowledging a solid and stronger business relationship, SeAH Wind and Teesworks have decided to set out on a long journey together. I am sure that the remaining work will go smoothly with the support of TVCA and our local partners.
“Bringing the UK’s first monopile manufacturing facility is a very meaningful and significant project to the UK offshore wind industry. We will make every effort to produce visible outcomes in every stage of the development.”
Cllr Mary Lanigan, leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, concluded: “This is yet another example of positive progress being made in our area; in terms of both the creation of jobs, and the future of industry in the North East.”
Source: BDaily News