Ørsted has selected the Port of Tyne’s Tyne Clean Energy Park in South Shields as the marshalling base for its £8.5 billion Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm, set to become the world’s largest offshore wind development. The 100,000-square-metre site will coordinate secondary steel components before offshore installation, supporting the construction of 197 turbines that will eventually provide renewable electricity for more than three million UK households.
Hornsea 3, a 2.9 GW project located 160 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast, will rely on the Port of Tyne’s deep-sea infrastructure and year-round operational capacity. The Denmark-headquartered energy company has signed a lease agreement to use the site, underlining the port’s growing role in the UK’s offshore wind sector.
The project will utilise the Wind Orca, a jack-up vessel operated by Cadeler, to transport and install key components. Local fabrication partners include Severfield, a UK structural steel specialist, and Smulders, a Tyne-based construction contractor. Together, they will deliver critical secondary steel structures for the wind farm.
Port of Tyne Positioned as Offshore Energy Hub
According to Matt Beeton, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Tyne, Ørsted’s decision represents a “significant milestone” for the North East. He highlighted the region’s ability to deliver large-scale renewable energy projects through its combination of skilled labour, port capacity, and strategic North Sea access.
“This partnership is not only about delivering clean energy – it is about securing international investment, driving economic growth and creating the highly skilled jobs that will sustain our communities for generations,” Beeton said.
The Tyne Clean Energy Park, developed to accommodate large renewable energy projects, offers deep berths of 13 metres, unrestricted access to the North Sea, and 24/7 operations throughout the year.
Offshore Wind Strengthens UK Energy Security
For Ørsted, Hornsea 3 is part of its wider commitment to expand offshore wind capacity in the UK, where it already operates multiple projects. Jason Ledden, Senior Project Director at Hornsea 3, said the development will directly contribute to the UK’s energy security and economy.
“The construction of Hornsea 3 will greatly improve energy security for the UK, as well as bringing investment into the local and national economy,” Ledden said. “This means home-grown clean power, skilled jobs and economic growth.”
The Hornsea zone is already home to some of the world’s largest operational offshore wind farms, and Hornsea 3 is set to surpass them. Its turbines, once fully installed, will generate enough electricity to support a population greater than that of Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds combined.
Regional Impact and Investment
North East leaders view Ørsted’s investment as part of a wider industrial shift towards renewable energy. Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said the decision underscores confidence in the region’s workforce and infrastructure.
“We are making the North East the home of the green energy revolution, and investments like this from Ørsted are a major vote of confidence in the people of the North East, their skills and commitment,” McGuinness said.
She added that the region’s proximity to the North Sea, combined with its advanced port infrastructure and experienced maritime workforce, positions it as a critical hub for future offshore wind activity.
With Hornsea 3 now secured, the Port of Tyne strengthens its profile as a strategic base for offshore energy projects. The marshalling site will coordinate thousands of steel components over the project’s construction period, ensuring a steady supply chain flow to Cadeler’s installation vessels and onward to the wind farm site in the North Sea.
