SeAH Wind has started commercial operations at its new manufacturing facility in Teesside, delivering the first monopile foundations for Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind project, the company said on Tuesday.
The facility is the UK’s first purpose-built factory for XXL monopile foundations—large steel structures that anchor offshore wind turbines to the seabed. Production at the site officially began with the cutting of the first steel plates.
“This is a monumental occasion for SeAH Wind,” said Chris Sohn, CEO of the company. “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.”
Monopiles manufactured at the Teesside plant will undergo a multi-step process including steel plate preparation, rolling, welding, non-destructive testing, coating and final assembly. Some units will exceed 100 metres in length and weigh more than 2,000 tonnes, according to SeAH Wind.
The Hornsea 3 project, located around 120 kilometres off the Norfolk coast in the North Sea, is expected to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm once operational. It will generate enough electricity to power over three million UK homes.
“This milestone not only marks a significant step forward for the company, but also demonstrates the success of inward investment in the UK,” Sohn added. “We are proud to be creating skilled jobs, supporting local companies, and helping deliver the UK’s green energy transition.”
SeAH Wind’s Teesside plant represents a key development in the UK’s offshore wind supply chain and is expected to support the sector’s growing demand for large-scale infrastructure.
