Tata Steel UK has secured funding from the Welsh Government to support a major collaborative project, announced today, to develop next-generation sustainable wind turbine towers alongside partners including Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC), Bute Energy, RWE, Hutchinson Engineering and Ledwood Mechanical Engineering.

Tata Steel UK has received support through the Welsh Government’s SMART Flexible Innovation Support programme for a collaborative research project focused on the development of wind turbine towers using strip-based steel solutions, offering an alternative to traditional plate-based designs.

"We are excited to participate in this project...working on strip steel based designs for on-shore wind turbines, which is a first of its kind as opposed to steel plate designs" Sumitesh Das

The project will bring together industry and research expertise to accelerate the design and manufacture of wind turbine towers and assess the role of low emission steels in supporting more sustainable tower manufacturing. With plans to transition to greener steel production with the Electric Arc Furnace, the company is well positioned to support future commercial implementation should the research prove successful.

The work will also help assess how Welsh and UK supply chains can support the increasing demand for offshore wind infrastructure as the UK accelerates towards its net zero targets.

"Our ambition is to ensure domestic supply chains capitalise on the growth of clean energy and help drive economic growth in the UK.” Kamal Rajput

Offshore wind is anticipated to be integral to the UK’s transition to a low-carbon energy system, with significant expansion planned in the near future. Developing the next generation of turbine towers will be critical to ensuring the industry can scale sustainably while supporting domestic manufacturing capability.

Sumitesh Das, Director & Board Member, Tata Steel Research and Innovation Limited said: “We are excited to participate in this project along with our Business Development Teams at Tata Steel UK. Particularly working on strip steel based designs for on-shore wind turbines, which is a first of its kind as opposed to steel plate designs. This innovation, if successful, would not only position the UK and Wales as a Hub for Innovation and manufacturing, but also unlock business potential for green steel from Port Talbot.”

Kamal Rajput, Strategic Business Development Lead at Tata Steel UK said: “Innovation has been the bedrock of UK manufacturing for decades. Along with our R&D team at Tata Steel Research and Innovation Limited, we look forward in playing a vital role in this project. Our ambition is to ensure domestic supply chains capitalise on the growth of clean energy and help drive economic growth in the UK.” 

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, in the Welsh Government, said: “This investment demonstrates our commitment to building a greener, stronger Welsh economy. By backing homegrown innovation and locally produced low emission steel, we are helping to create high-value jobs, strengthen our supply chains, and position Wales at the forefront of the global offshore wind revolution. This is exactly the kind of bold, forward-thinking collaboration that will deliver real benefits for Welsh communities.”

Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberafan Maesteg said: “It is essential that we use more British and Welsh steel in offshore wind innovation. This research demonstrates how Wales and the UK can remain at the forefront of the transition to renewable energy. By decreasing reliance on imported steel we can bolster energy security, create economic growth, secure regional jobs, and support offshore wind deployment in the Celtic Sea and beyond.”

You can see the OREC Press Release HERE