On 18 February Neath Port Talbot Council’s Planning Committee approved Tata Steel UK’s proposals to deliver state-of-the-art Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking in Port Talbot.
Rajesh Nair, CEO of Tata Steel UK, said: “We are very pleased to have secured approval to build sustainable steelmaking in Port Talbot. Amidst a challenging global market, this is a significant milestone for the project and we are committed to begin large-scale work on site this summer, ahead of the Electric Arc Furnace starting up from the end of 2027.
“This 1.25-billion-pound investment is the most significant investment made in the UK steel industry in decades. The facility will secure high-quality steel production, preserve thousands of jobs and safeguard steel making in Port Talbot for generations to come.”
Supported by £500 million of UK Government funding, the investment will preserve 5,000 Tata Steel UK jobs and cut on-site CO2 emissions by 90% compared to previous blast furnace-based steelmaking – equivalent to 1.5% of the UK’s total direct CO2 emissions.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “This is a major step forward in securing a bright, long-term future for steel in South Wales, following the improved deal for Port Talbot’s transition we agreed with Tata Steel and the next phase of our Plan for Steel – unveiled last week.
“Today’s news will provide security for Port Talbot’s green steel transition and help give Welsh steelmaking the certainty it needs to drive growth and attract investment, as part of our Plan for Change.”
The planning application sought permission to construct an Electric Arc Furnace, two new Ladle Metallurgy Furnaces for secondary steelmaking, and supporting infrastructure.
An Electric Arc Furnace uses electricity to melt predominantly scrap steel – of which there is an abundance in the UK – rather than requiring imported iron ore and coal. The site’s ageing iron and steelmaking assets—which included the harbour, coke ovens, sinter plant and blast furnaces—were closed last year.
This is the latest major milestone Tata Steel has passed on its transition to green steelmaking. In December the company signed a deal with JCB1 for the supply of green steel, and last month, the company appointed Sir Robert McAlpine2 as the project’s mains works contractor. In October last year Tata Steel appointed the world-leading metals technology manufacturer Tenova to supply the new furnace.3
Notes
3. www.tatasteeluk.com/corporate/news/tata-steel-signs-contract-for-green-steelmaking-technology
