Steel production a step closer to Teesside return – this time in more sustainable form!

TEESSIDE’S historic steelmaking industry is a step closer to being revived – this time as a greener form of energy based around an electric arc furnace.

Plans to create a new steel manufacturing facility at British Steel’s Lackenby works have received planning permission from Redcar and Cleveland Council with the transition from blast furnace to electric arc furnace marking the biggest transformation in more than 100 years of steelmaking.

But the traditionally heavy industry, which would return very much lighter to Teesside will still need crucial Government backing if it is to go ahead. A separate electric arc furnace has been proposed by British Steel for its Scunthorpe facility.

The ultimate design of the new site has yet to be finalised but initial plans were for a huge structure more than 60 metres tall and 34,000 square metres in size. The new plan would generate heat from an electric arc between electrodes rather a traditional blast furnace’s use of coke.

Should it be built, the new steel making site will create hundreds of local jobs and bring an influx of money and expertise into the region.

British Steel president and chief executive Xijun Cao said: “The proposed installation of electric arc furnaces in Scunthorpe and Teesside is central to our journey to a green future. Our owner, Jingye, is committed to the unprecedented investment decarbonisation requires.”

The company will now look to the Government for funding to move the project to the starting line but the planning application had not been beyond controversy with some councillors raising questions of potential pollution and the importance of other aspects of the application being as green as possible

Matt Stockwell, a production director with British Steel, said the furnace would be “economically productive” and “environmentally attractive”, and a boost to the area. He said the move towards electrification was aimed at cutting the company’s carbon output by 70%. and that 250 jobs would be created during the eight-month long construction of the plant with a significant number of high-quality jobs to follow when it officially opened.

Jacob Young, Conservative MP for Redcar, said: “I am delighted that this application has now passed and is paving the way for steelmaking to make its return to Teesside.

“This clearly means even more jobs and even more growth for our region – but bringing steelmaking back to our area is about something more intangible – it’s about our identity as a region.

“During the industrial revolution, our blast furnaces built the world. Now with the latest in electric arc technology, we can lead the green industrial revolution too.”

Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “It’s excellent to see sense prevail for everybody on Teesside. Bringing back steelmaking was of course one of the Tees Valley Mayor’s election pledges and has been a shared goal of all Conservatives on Teesside.”

“Now, without any further distractions, we can see that dream becoming a reality along with the jobs and prestige that comes with it.”