Port operator's delight at new wind farm blade factory as Hartlepool plays part in green revolution

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PD Ports said it was delighted at the announcement by GE Renewable Energy to bring its blade manufacturing plant to the Teesworks site at Redcar creating 750 new jobs for the region.

The blades will be used in the Dogger Bank wind farm around 80 miles off the coast, a project which also includes Able UK.

Bosses at PD Ports say the addition of the new blade manufacturing factory builds on the work in the offshore industry being done in the area including by Hartlepool businesses.

Jerry Hopkinson of PD Ports (second from right) with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, and PD Ports CEO, Frans Calje on a ministerial visit to Teesport after the freeport status announcement. Picture: Andrew Parsons / No10 Downing St

PD Ports’ Chief Operating Officer Jerry Hopkinson said: “GE’s commitment to the region builds on the number of world-class offshore manufacturers based in Teesport, including industry leading JDR Cables in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough-based Wilton Engineering and Able UK’s Seaton Port – the marshalling base for the world’s biggest wind farm, Triton Knoll, assembling 90 turbines at its Hartlepool yard.”

Able UK has also created 120 skilled jobs in connection with the Dogger Bank wind farm as part of an agreement with GE Renewable Energy announced last October.

When completed in 2026, Dogger Bank will be capable of powering up to six million homes.

JDR Cables has also secured a number of contracts linked to the growing offshore energy industry, including a wind farm off the Scottish coast.

An artist's impression of the how the redeveloped Teesworks site will look.

GE’s new factory announcement at Teesport comes less than a week after the Government announced new freeport status for Teesside expected to be a driver for major investment and job creation.

Mr Hopkinson added: “Of course, Teesside’s newfound Freeport status will undoubtedly be a contributing factor to securing GE Renewable Energy’s investment in our region, providing a major boost to the Northern economy and delivering the Government’s levelling-up agenda.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen described the new GE blade factory as a ‘monumental deal’ that will also create 1,500 in the supply chain.

“Having a global manufacturer with the calibre and reputation of GE Renewables Energy, in the UK’s largest freeport with the skills and expertise we have in the region, shows just how far we’ve come with our plan to regenerate a site that sorely needs it.”

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