UK suppliers benefit as Ørsted makes multi million-pound Hornsea 3 investment

The contracts were awarded to JDR Cable Systems, Severfield and Smulders.

York-based Severfield, the largest steel fabricator in the UK, will work with Hutchinson Engineering in Widnes on the final assembly of components at Teesworks in Teesside. 

Severfield and Smulders will supply a large proportion of secondary structures for Hornsea 3’s foundations. This includes the suspended internal platforms or ‘SIPs,’ internal parts of the foundations on which the wind turbines sit. In addition they will build the boat landings for the turbines, and provide anode cages, which protect the steel foundation structures from corrosion.

Northeast of England-based JDR has been awarded a contract for array cable testing and termination. JDR will prepare and connect the cables between the turbines and offshore convertor stations and ensure that all array cabling is fully integrated into the offshore electrical infrastructure and working safely.

Hornsea 3 managing director Luke Bridgman said, “We value our partnerships with local suppliers. Our continued commitment to working with the UK supply chain is reinforced today with these contract announcements. Working with existing suppliers such as JDR and Smulders and supporting Severfields’ entry into offshore renewables is testament to the strength of the UK supply chain and the role Hornsea 3 is playing to boost economic growth across the UK.”

Ørsted UK head Benj Sykes said, “Ørsted has been an investor in Britain, supplying clean energy for 20 years and we believe in supporting the communities in which we work. Hornsea 3 is the world’s single-largest offshore windfarm. As well as being based in UK waters, we’re proud to be supporting Britain’s growing offshore wind supply chain.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the deals as “a vote of confidence in British manufacturing and the government’s mission to deliver clean power by 2030.”

Severfield Nuclear & Infrastructure divisional managing director Jim Martindale said, “Hornsea 3 is a significant milestone for Severfield, marking our first offshore wind contract. This is a major achievement for the business and a key step in aligning with our strategy to expand into new and innovative sectors.”