Construction of two concrete batching plants that will supply the materials for SeAH Wind’s monopile factory at the Teesworks industrial park has been completed at the site.
The first concrete plant has started production with the second due online in January 2023.
The two Teesside plants, designed and built by Hanson, cost £3m and will produce 120 cubic metres of concrete every hour.
The machinery will operate 10 hours per day but can be ramped up to 24 hours if required.
South Tees Development Corporation said it is “more economical” to produce concrete on site given the sheer size of SeAH’s £450m manufacturing facility, which started construction in the summer.
Rainton Construction will use the concrete in its piling operation for the monopile plant. More than 6,100 piles need to be drilled, with each up to 1 metre in diameter.
K2 Construction Management is managing the build on behalf of SeAH. Almost 200 people are currently engaged on the project, of which 80% have been hired from the surrounding region.
The 90-acre site is a “vital piece of the Teesworks jigsaw”, according to Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, creating 750 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs through supply chains.
When fully operational the factory is expected to produce between 100 and 150 monopiles per year, with a first confirmed contract for Orsted’s 2.8GW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the North Sea due to ramp up in the second quarter of 2025.