ANOTHER major offshore wind company is on the verge of opening a new factory in the North East, bringing 1,000 jobs to the region, The Northern Echo can reveal today.
The large international investor, which cannot yet be named due to a non-disclosure agreement, makes subsea cables for the offshore wind industry.
Read more: Plans revealed for huge 1,500-job SeAH Wind factory at Teesside
The Echo understands the deal, if agreed, will see the firm open a factory on the Teesworks site, formerly home to the Redcar steelworks.
Last night, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen would not be drawn on specifics but did confirm but hinted an agreement was close to being agreed.
He said: "Multiple deals for investors to come to the site are currently with lawyers and I hope to say more soon on the exciting opportunities that are coming to our area.”
The announcement comes just months after South Korean firm, SeAH wind, who produce the foundations for a wind turbines, announced their facility would be coming to Teesside.
Plans have now been submitted for the 40-metre-tall building, which will redefine the Teesside skyline and stand as tall as Stockton’s Infinity Bridge at its peak – or ten double-decker buses.
The facility, part of the Teesside’s Freeport, will sit on a 90-acre site adjacent to Teesworks’ £107million heavy-lift South Bank Quay. Its 1.13million sq ft footprint is four times the size of the Riverside Stadium and, when complete, will be the largest facility of its type in the world.
The factory will create 1,500 jobs in the supply chain and during construction when work begins in July. Once operational, a further 750 roles will be created.
Speaking earlier this month, President & CEO of SeAHSteel Holdings, Joosung Lee said: “After acknowledging a solid and stronger business relationship, SeAH Wind and Teesworks have decided to set out a long journey together.
"I am sure that the remaining work will go smoothly with the support of TVCA and our local partners. Bringing UK’s first monopile manufacturing facility is a very meaningful and significant project to the UK offshore wind industry.
"We will make every effort to produce visible outcomes in every stage of the development.”
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