Tata Steel UK launch the construction of its Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) facility in Port Talbot, South Wales.
This is part of a £1.25 billion transformation to low CO2 steelmaking, supported by a £500 million investment from the UK Government.
To mark the construction, Chairman of the Tata Group, Mr. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, was joined at the ceremony this week by Tata Steel CEO and Managing Director, T. V. Narendran, and Tata Steel UK CEO, Rajesh Nair, as well as government ministers.
Mr Chandrasekaran stated: “This is an important day for Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK. Today’s groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of a new Electric Arc Furnace, but a new era for sustainable manufacturing in Britain."
"At Port Talbot, we are building the foundations of a cleaner, greener future, supporting jobs, driving innovation, and demonstrating our commitment to responsible industry leadership.”
“This project is also part of Tata Group’s wider investment in the UK, across steel, automotive, and technology among others, which reflects our deep and enduring partnership with this country.”
Set to be commissioned at the end of 2027, the new EAF is expected to reduce Port Talbot’s carbon emissions by approximately 90%, equivalent to 5 million tonnes of CO₂ per year.
Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, added: “Our Steel Strategy will also deliver £2.5 billion of investment to rebuild the UK industry, maintain jobs and drive growth.”
The project is estimated to support 5,000 UK jobs directly.
The EAF facility will be one of the largest in the world, melting UK-sourced scrap steel to produce 3 million tonnes of steel per year.
First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said: “This is a momentous day for heavy industry in Wales, as the electric arc furnace has secured the long-term future of steelmaking at Port Talbot.”
Part of Tata Steel UK’s decarbonisation mission, the project includes infrastructure upgrades and partnerships with technology providers such as Tenova, ABB and Clecim.