SeAH Wind has commenced commercial production at its new Teesside facility, delivering its first monopile foundations for Orsted’s Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm.
The milestone was marked by the cutting of the first steel plates, signalling the start of operations at the UK’s first purpose-built factory dedicated to XXL monopile foundations for offshore wind.
Production will involve high-precision manufacturing steps including plate preparation, rolling, welding, non-destructive testing, coating and final assembly, according to the company.
Some monopiles will exceed 100 metres in length and weigh over 2000 tonnes.
“This is a monumental occasion for SeAH Wind,” said Chris Sohn, CEO of SeAH Wind.
“Three years ago this month, we broke ground on this site with a bold vision to become a leader in the offshore wind industry. To now reach the stage of starting commercial production is a testament to the incredible dedication, innovation, and hard work of our entire team.
“This milestone not only marks a significant step forward for the company, but also demonstrates the success of inward investment in the UK. We are proud to be creating skilled jobs, supporting local companies, and helping deliver the UK’s green energy transition.”
SeAH Wind’s inaugural project involves manufacturing monopiles for Hornsea 3, located about 120km off the Norfolk coast in the North Sea.
Once completed, the project will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm, powering more than 3 million UK homes.