Port of Blyth unveils £100M offshore wind expansion plan

The port in the northeast of England said it plans to invest up to £100M in the Battleship Wharf Expansion scheme, in order to expand infrastructure that will enable it to support the next era of clean energy growth.

The early development phase of the scheme is being jointly funded by Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority, along with match funding of £275,000 awarded by The Crown Estate through the second round of its £50M Supply Chain Accelerator fund. The port said the make-up of the funding demonstrates strong regional and national backing for a project that is expected to deliver significant long-term economic and environmental benefits.

The Battleship Wharf Expansion is designed to unlock new operational capacity at the port, enabling it to handle larger offshore energy projects and emerging low-carbon technologies and reinforce Port of Blyth’s position as a key hub in the UK’s clean energy transition.

The project will deliver upgraded marine and terminal infrastructure, including approximately three hectares of reclaimed land and up to 260 m of quay extensions and rock revetment linking to the new deepwater berth adjacent to JDR cable factory to enable seamless operations. 

Dredging the channel and berths at the port will allow larger vessels to access it, supported by additional heavy-duty handling equipment to accommodate next-generation offshore components. 

“Collectively, these enhancements are expected to attract clean energy manufacturers, generate hundreds of new jobs, and deliver significant economic benefits to the North East through increased investment and a more resilient clean energy supply chain,” the port said.

The announcement comes at an important moment, following The Crown Estate’s recent confirmation of new seabed leasing opportunities directly off the northeast coast for offshore wind development, further strengthening the region’s role in the UK’s energy future.

Port of Blyth chief executive Martin Lawlor said, “This is a landmark moment for the port and for the wider region. The Battleship Wharf Expansion will ensure we have the infrastructure, capacity and capability to support the next generation of offshore wind and clean energy projects. With strong backing from our regional partners, we are taking a significant step forward in driving sustainable growth, creating jobs, and reinforcing Blyth’s position at the heart of the UK’s energy transition.”