Another huge win for North East as Teesside port selected to house new wind turbine factory Posted on: March 11th, 2021 A global offshore wind manufacturer will build a state-of-the-art turbine blade manufacturing factory on Teesworks it was announced last night.A deal was struck with French powerhouse GE Renewables Energy for its new facility to be based in the North East, ahead of another location in France. It will sit alongside a new port being created on-site.Teesworks is being supported with £20million of Government cash towards the build-out of the new heavy lift quay, with the expectation that South Bank will house up to three manufacturers to support the development of the next-generation of offshore wind projects.Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Teesside has already put itself at the forefront of the government’s plans to build back greener and this new wind port will secure new jobs and clean energy for years to come.“Given its proud industrial heritage and the skills and knowledge of the local community, Teesside is a natural fit for project like this and I have no doubt that the region will embrace this new development and the opportunities it will provide.”The blades produced by GE Renewables Energy will be supplied to the Dogger Bank wind farm, around 80 miles off the coast which, when completed in 2026, will be the largest offshore wind farm in the UK and will be capable of powering up to six million homes.President and CEO of GE Renewable Energy Jerôme Pécresse said: “This new plant will contribute to the development of an industrial cluster dedicated to offshore wind in the North East of England. GE is delighted to be able to help build a talent pool dedicated to renewable energy in a region with such potential.“The UK’s target to commission 40GW of offshore wind by 2030 is ambitious and requires that we invest in the local production capabilities to accompany this effort.”The news comes a week after it was Spring Budget announcement Teesside would become the UK’s largest Freeport following a successful bid led by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen – a condition that was the deciding factor for GE Renewables Energy.Mayor Houchen, last night, said: “This monumental deal reached today with GE Renewables Energy, to bring their multimillion-pound manufacturing facility to Teesside and creating more than 2,000 local jobs, is a major step forward for my plan to bring skilled good-quality jobs to local people.“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.“The closure of the steelworks in 2015 was a blow that some people thought we’d never recover from. When I was elected Mayor, I made a promise to local people that I would breathe new life into the former steelworks site. I had a plan that would see the site become home to good-quality well paid jobs for local people and I pledged that brighter days were ahead.“Since then, we’ve taken back control of the site, we’re demolishing and clearing land ready for new investment as part of a vast regeneration programme, and we’ve created over 500 construction jobs as part of my plan to get the site ready, with hundreds more to come.”Once complete, the Teesworks port will have the potential to support the development of 100 turbines per year. Through the new port, businesses – including smaller suppliers – across the UK will be well-placed to win contracts and attract further investment from energy companies around the world, increasing their competitive standing on the global stage.Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Teesside will continue to drive forward our green industrial revolution as we capitalise on new opportunities to produce clean energy through a brand new offshore wind port on the River Tees.“It will not only create thousands of jobs and harness the skills and expertise of this great industrial heartland, but also boost investment into the area as we build back greener.”