INDUSTRY
Now you SeAH it – SeAH Wind’ s £ 900m factory.
Rising Strong
Teesworks celebrates five years of regeneration
Five years ago, work began to breathe new life into the former Redcar steelworks site – a place once defined by loss and silence. Today, Teesworks stands as the UK’ s largest industrial zone, symbolising not only regeneration but resilience.
Ten years on from the steelworks’ closure, which left thousands of local people without jobs, the landscape has been transformed beyond recognition. What was once an emblem of decline has become a global hub for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and innovation, driving opportunity and pride back into the heart of Teesside.
From steelworks to success story In just five years, Teesworks has evolved into one of the country’ s most exciting industrial developments. Spanning more than 4,500 acres, it’ s home to Europe’ s largest brownfield redevelopment and boasts exceptional transport links via road, rail and the River Tees.
Development – Steel River Quay.
At its core are projects of international significance – including SeAH Wind’ s £ 900m monopile manufacturing facility, the largest of its kind in the world. Producing up to 400,000 tons of monopiles a year, SeAH’ s operation will play a vital role in the UK’ s offshore wind sector, with components transported directly to the under-construction South Bank Quay before heading to the North Sea.
Alongside SeAH, developments such as Steel River Quay and Net Zero Teesside Power are helping position Teesworks at the forefront of the UK’ s clean energy revolution, delivering thousands of highquality jobs and reaffirming Teesside’ s industrial identity for a new generation.
A celebration of progress In October 2025, Teesworks marked its five-year milestone with a special event at Kirkleatham Walled Gardens. Hosted by Nunthorpe local Kirsten O’ Brien, the evening brought together local partners, stakeholders and apprentices from the Teesworks Skills Academy to celebrate how far the site – and the community – have come.
A highlight of the evening was a Q & A session with the apprentices, who spoke passionately about the training and opportunities the Skills Academy has given them. Their stories captured the essence of Teesworks’ mission: creating real prospects for local people while building the workforce of the future.
Generosity was also on full display, with a charity auction for the Teesworks Benevolent Foundation raising more than £ 47,000 to support local causes including South Bank Community Grocery, Four All Café and Redcar Athletic Football Club.
Building the future together The Teesworks Skills Academy, developed in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and local training providers, continues to play a crucial role in the site’ s success. Offering more than 300 training courses and bespoke recruitment support, it’ s helping to ensure that investment translates directly into skilled local employment.
Since redevelopment began, more than 775 jobs have already been created, with thousands more expected as major projects progress – a ripple effect that’ s strengthening businesses and communities across the Tees Valley.
Looking ahead Five years on, Teesworks is more than a regeneration project – it’ s a testament to what determination, ambition and local pride can achieve.
As Chris Musgrave OBE, chairman of Teesworks, reflected, the site represents“ one of the UK’ s greatest regeneration success stories”, turning adversity into opportunity and laying the foundations for long-term growth.
A decade after the steelworks fell silent, Teesside is once again building the world, powered by clean energy, innovation and the people who call this place home.
24 | Tees Business