TEESPORT OFFSHORE GATEWAY
PD Ports reveals plans for major offshore wind hub on River Tees
GATEWAY TO THE
FUTURE
PD Ports has long been a keen supporter of regional efforts to put Teesside at the heart of the UK push for net zero. Now, with the announcement of a proposed major offshore wind hub on the banks of the River Tees, the company is set to play its own part in the green revolution.
Ambitious plans to build one of the UK’ s largest offshore wind manufacturing and installation hubs in the heart of Teesport have been announced by PD Ports.
The proposed Teesport Offshore Gateway, a 180-acre development strategically located on a riverside site in PD Ports’ Teesport industrial complex, would secure critical port infrastructure in support of the government’ s offshore wind development targets.
With an estimated £ 200m development cost, the site represents a major investment by PD Ports in the River Tees and its future as a key player in the national push for Net Zero.
The announcement of the proposals last month has received a positive response from the offshore wind sector, with discussions already underway with industry and government about the strategic direction of the development.
PD Ports, as Statutory Harbour Authority for the River Tees, has been a keen supporter of regional efforts to make Teesside a major hub for clean energy industries in recent years, including offshore wind, carbon capture and green and blue hydrogen projects.
The announcement of Teesport Offshore Gateway marks the company’ s own commitment to developing its estate to provide a major contribution to the UK’ s port capacity for offshore wind.
Chief executive officer Frans Calje said the company is delighted by the response to Teesport Offshore Gateway announcement from industry figures across the world.“ At PD Ports we have long been a cheerleader of Teesside as a potential leader of the green industrial revolution and supportive of clean energy developments elsewhere on the river,” he said.
“ But with the Teesport Offshore Gateway, we see our opportunity to officially take our place at the table and provide a development site perfectly suited to the needs of the offshore sector on the east coast of the UK.
“ Teesport has all the attributes needed to become a successful hub for offshore wind and at PD Ports we have a prime site, with a riverside quay that can be extended and excellent rail and road connections right at the heart of our Tees Dock estate.”
The UK government has a target to reach 60 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030 which, given current capacity is 14.8 gigawatts, will require a major acceleration in offshore projects off the UK coast.
Frans added:“ We are confident that the
Meeting the demand – the new hub can help the government achieve its target of 60 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
22 | Tees Business