One year after Tata Steel UK first documented the transformation of Port Talbot steelworks, major progress has been made on the new electric arc furnace and supporting infrastructure.
Major infrastructure works progress
A year ago, many of the locations that will support Tata Steel UK's new electric arc furnace looked very different.
Areas that were once open fields, redundant infrastructure and former industrial land are now active construction sites at the heart of one of the UK's largest industrial transformation projects.
In the latest project update video, Work Package Lead Peter Jones revisits key areas across the Port Talbot steelworks site to highlight the progress made over the last 12 months.
Future scrap yard takes shape
At the former P Field, work continues on the future scrap yard, which will become the gateway for around 70,000 tonnes of scrap every week.
The area currently houses the project's offices and welfare facilities, supporting around 1,200 workers involved in the wider transformation programme.
As construction activity continues to increase across the site, these facilities are helping to support one of the UK's largest industrial transformation projects.
Once operational, the scrap yard will play a vital role in supporting the production of lower-CO2 steel at Port Talbot.
Building the infrastructure for the future
Significant progress has also been made on the infrastructure needed to support the new electric arc furnace.
At the future National Grid connection, what was once an open field has been levelled and prepared, with piling works underway for the new 275,000-volt substation that will help power the site.
Nearby, more than 220,000 tonnes of stone have been used to infill part of the lagoon area, creating a route that will carry scrap from the rail yard to the electric arc furnace.
At the former Harsco Bank, around 400,000 tonnes of material have been removed as part of extensive redevelopment works. Foundations are now being prepared for the future fume extraction plant.
Port Talbot electric arc furnace project takes shape
Inside the steelworks, areas previously occupied by equipment from former operations have been cleared and prepared for new infrastructure.
The transition to electric arc furnace steelmaking will support Tata Steel UK's ambition to produce lower-carbon steel products, helping customers meet growing demand for more sustainable materials across construction, infrastructure and manufacturing.
The electric arc furnace forms part of Tata Steel UK's wider investment in sustainable steelmaking, alongside upgrades to existing facilities and supporting infrastructure across the Port Talbot site.
Electric arc furnace components begin their journey
The project has also reached a significant manufacturing milestone.
Key components of the new electric arc furnace have now been manufactured and are beginning their journey to Port Talbot from locations around the world.
The 3.2 million tonnes-per-year furnace will be one of the largest of its kind ever built, with the main furnace shell measuring more than nine metres across.
Designed and manufactured by Tenova, the Italian metals technology specialist, the furnace will form the centrepiece of Tata Steel UK's future steelmaking facility at Port Talbot.
Their arrival later this year will mark another major step forward in the transformation programme and bring the project one step closer to commissioning.
Peter Jones, Work Package Lead at Tata Steel UK, said:
Watch the latest project update
In this video on our YouTube channel, Peter Jones takes viewers on a tour of the site, showcasing the progress achieved during the first year of construction and explaining how the project is moving from vision to reality.
With major milestones achieved across multiple areas of the site, construction progressing at pace and key equipment now making its way to South Wales, Port Talbot is closer than ever to welcoming its new electric arc furnace.
About Tata Steel UK
- The Tata Steel Group has been named one of the most ethical companies in the world, and is among the top producing global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes.
- Tata Steel in the UK has the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2045 at the latest, and to have reduced 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030.
- In October 2024, Tata Steel ceased ironmaking at its Port Talbot site and temporarily paused steelmaking pending the construction of a 3.2Mtpa Electric Arc Furnace, due to be commissioned late in 2027 / early 2028. For that period, the business will import slab and hot rolled coil to support manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France, Germany and UAE. It also benefits from a network of sales offices around the world.
- Throughout 2024 Tata Steel UK has been undergoing a restructuring that will reduce the size of its workforce to around 5000 direct employees, supplying high-quality steel products to demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering.
- Tata Steel Group is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and a commercial presence across the world.
- The group recorded a consolidated turnover of around US$26 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2025.
- Tata Steel has long played a key role in enabling the UK economy to become more circular. Its products are highly durable, reusable and recyclable, It applies a sustainability assessment tool during its new product development process to measure the sustainability credentials of its new offerings.
- More information about the crucial role that Tata Steel UK already plays in driving the UK to a more circular economy, and its plans to play an even greater role, can be found in its recently-published Sustainability Report covering 2023-2025.