Tata Steel hails milestone as contract signed to deliver electric arc furnace
The electric arc furnace will reduce the Port Talbot site’s steelmaking carbon emissions by 90%, equivalent to five million tonnes of CO2 a year.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tata Steel has signed a contract with a leading metals technology manufacturer to deliver a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace and additional advanced steelmaking equipment for its biggest UK site.
The company said the contract with Tenova marked a “significant milestone” in the switch to produce greener steel in Port Talbot, South Wales.
The electric arc furnace (EAF) is replacing traditional blast furnaces which have been shut down with the loss of thousands of jobs.
This landmark agreement will enable us to transform our steelmaking site
When it is commissioned from the end of 2027, the EAF will reduce the site’s steelmaking carbon emissions by 90%, equivalent to five million tonnes of CO2 a year.
Tenova will supply an EAF with an annual capacity of three million tonnes of steel – similar to the output of the site’s blast furnaces – by melting scrap steel sourced from the UK.
Mr T V Narendran, chief executive of Tata Steel, said: “This landmark agreement will enable us to transform our steelmaking site that will not only support the UK’s decarbonisation journey but also provide economic development opportunities for South Wales.
“Today marks an important milestone in making low-CO2 steelmaking a reality in Port Talbot as well as reducing the UK’s carbon emissions and supporting our customers with their own carbon reduction targets.”
Technology like the furnaces made by Tenova is critical to decarbonising the industry, unlocking its potential to provide skilled jobs, and creating economic stability for future generations of steelworkers in South Wales
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “This partnership follows in the footsteps of an improved deal between the Government and Tata Steel, and is further proof of our commitment to a bright future for UK steelmaking.
“Technology like the furnaces made by Tenova is critical to decarbonising the industry, unlocking its potential to provide skilled jobs, and creating economic stability for future generations of steelworkers in South Wales.
“Our upcoming steel strategy will provide further certainty for the sector as we set out our plan for its long-term growth and viability, backed by up to £2.5 billion for steel.”
Paolo Argenta, executive vice President for the Tenova Upstream Business Unit, said: “We are working with Tata Steel UK at an unprecedented level of transparency and co-operation, and we are confident this will lead to a successful project implementation.”