Partner Article

Teesside offshore wind farm project to create more than 350 jobs

Bladt Industries and EEW Special Pipe Constructions have partnered up in an offshore wind venture at the former TAG Energy site on Teesside.

The pair have signed a deal to establish joint venture Offshore Structures at the Haverton Hill facility in Billingham.

Bladt and EEW will acquire the assets of TAG from administrators, although terms of the deal were not disclosed.

DECC said it expected the partnership will invest up to £25 million to upgrade the facility, creating 350 jobs in the local area and several more in the supply chain.

DECC secretary Ed Davey said: “We’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes to help secure this investment and it’s more evidence that renewable energy is powering the economic recovery.”

Bladt and EEW said: “The advantages of a local UK manufacturing site coupled with the significant offshore wind foundation experience of Bladt and EEW will secure Offshore Structures (Britain) a strong position in the future UK offshore wind market.”

Bladt chief executive Jan Kjærsgaard said: “Bladt Industries will contribute our significant offshore wind experience gathered over the course of more than 10 years in the industry and through our track record of more than 1300 offshore foundations and 14 offshore wind substations.

“By taking this step, we bring this unique experience to bear in the UK and we are creating a strong platform for our continued growth in the UK market.”

EEW managing director Karl Kloes-Hein said: “Since our inception in 2008, EEW SPC has become one of the world leading companies in the field of fabrication of monopiles and transition pieces for offshore wind foundations.

“We have executed and supported more than 25 key offshore wind projects in Europe and the US. We will contribute our outstanding experience of serial production for large pipes and tubulars to the new UK entity, Offshore Structures.”

TAG shut its doors in October with the loss of 74 jobs.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .