Orsted has signed a lease agreement for up to 100,000 square metres at the Port of Tyne to support construction of the 2900MW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm.
The site at Tyne Clean Energy Park in South Shields will be used to marshal secondary steel components before they are loaded onto Cadeler’s jack-up vessel Wind Orca and transported to the project site.
Located 160 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast, Hornsea 3 is a £8.5bn infrastructure project featuring 197 turbines.
Once complete, it will be the world’s largest single offshore wind farm, generating enough electricity to power more than three million UK homes.
Orsted said the development will enhance UK energy security and deliver supply chain benefits across the country.
Jason Ledden, senior project director at Hornsea 3, said the scheme will bring “home-grown clean power, skilled jobs and economic growth”.
Port of Tyne chief executive Matt Beeton described the deal as a “significant milestone” that showcases the port’s role as a base for offshore wind, while North East mayor Kim McGuinness said it demonstrated confidence in the region’s workforce and facilities.
Secondary steel components for the project will be fabricated and supplied by Severfield and Smulders, which both have facilities on the River Tyne.
Image shows L-R Matt Beeton, CEO, Port of Tyne, Jason Ledden, Senior Project Director, Hornsea 3, Craig Morton, Commercial Director, Port of Tyne and Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor