Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 4, Ørsted has signed a lease agreement for up to 100,000 square metres at the Port of Tyne to support the construction of the 2900MW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. The site, located at Tyne Clean Energy Park in South Shields, will be used to marshal secondary steel components before loading onto Cadeler’s jack-up vessel Wind Orca for transport to the project site.

Hornsea 3 is situated 160 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast and represents an £8.5bn infrastructure investment. The development will consist of 197 turbines, and once operational, it will be the largest single offshore wind farm in the world. It is expected to generate enough electricity to supply more than three million UK households.

According to Ørsted, the project will contribute to the UK’s energy security while providing benefits to the domestic supply chain. Jason Ledden, senior project director at Hornsea 3, stated: “The scheme will bring home-grown clean power, skilled jobs and economic growth.”

Port of Tyne chief executive Matt Beeton described the lease agreement as a “significant milestone” that highlights the port’s growing role as a hub for offshore wind operations. North East mayor Kim McGuinness added that the decision reflects confidence in the region’s workforce and infrastructure.

The secondary steel components required for Hornsea 3 will be fabricated and supplied by Severfield and Smulders, both of which operate facilities on the River Tyne. Their involvement underscores the integration of regional manufacturing capacity into the project’s supply chain.

This agreement strengthens the Port of Tyne’s position as a key base for offshore wind projects. With the handling and staging of large-scale components at Tyne Clean Energy Park, the facility will play an important role in supporting the delivery of Hornsea 3.

The project also signals a significant step forward for the UK offshore wind sector, combining international investment with local expertise. By establishing operations at the Port of Tyne and collaborating with regional suppliers, Ørsted is aligning global energy infrastructure with local industrial participation.

Hornsea 3 follows the earlier Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 projects, further expanding the development of offshore renewable energy in the North Sea. Its scale and investment value position it as a landmark project in the transition to cleaner energy systems.

In an image released with the announcement, Port of Tyne CEO Matt Beeton, Hornsea 3 Senior Project Director Jason Ledden, Port of Tyne Commercial Director Craig Morton, and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness were pictured together, marking the agreement as an important collaborative achievement.

Overall, the Hornsea 3 project demonstrates the combined role of international developers, local ports, and regional manufacturers in advancing large-scale offshore wind energy. With construction supported through facilities at the Port of Tyne, the development is set to deliver clean electricity, regional economic benefits, and long-term contributions to the UK’s renewable energy landscape.