Danish energy company Orsted has signed a lease agreement to use the newly developed Steel River Quay in north-east England as a construction base for its 2.9 gigawatt Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm.
The lease covers up to 300,000 square metres at the port facility, located on the south bank of the River Tees within the Teesworks industrial zone. Steel River Quay will be used for storage and mobilisation of key components, including monopile foundations and secondary steel structures, ahead of their transport to the offshore construction site.
Hornsea 3, situated roughly 160km off the Yorkshire coast and 120km off Norfolk, is expected to provide enough electricity to power more than three million UK homes.
“Orsted’s choice of Steel River Quay at Teesworks for Hornsea 3 demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in British infrastructure, growth and jobs,” said Jason Ledden, senior project director for Hornsea 3. “The port is the first in the UK to be specifically designed for the offshore wind industry and we’re proud to be its first large-scale users.”
Steel River Quay became fully operational in the third quarter of 2024 and was built with the offshore wind sector in mind. The project also brings together several UK-based suppliers, including Severfield and SeAH, both of which have contracts for Hornsea 3 and are located on or near the site.
“This is a landmark moment for Steel River Quay and the wider Teesworks site,” said Ally Cameron, managing director of the port. “To welcome Orsted’s Hornsea 3 project as our first large-scale offshore wind base is a huge vote of confidence in the infrastructure, location and capability we’ve built here.”
The site will also serve as a base for offshore installation vessels supplied by Cadeler, with Mammoet responsible for heavy lifting operations.
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the partnership aligns with the government’s broader energy strategy. “This partnership delivers on that promise – Hornsea 3 will drive growth throughout Teesside and help rebuild Britain’s industrial heartlands as part of our Plan for Change,” he said.
Hornsea 3 is set to be one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world once complete.
