RWE, Wales’ largest electricity producer, has entered a new partnership with Tata Steel to understand and explore the production of steel components that could be used in high-tech floating wind foundations and structures for projects in the Celtic Sea. 

The industry leaders will work together to identify the steel components that could be supplied from Tata Steel in floating wind technologies in the gigawatt-scale floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea. The co-operation agreement will allow the two companies to share knowledge and expertise and demonstrate the shared commitment to supporting the wider industrial decarbonisation and economic development of Wales. 

Tom Glover, UK Country Chair, RWE, commented: “RWE is working with the Welsh Government and industry to support the country’s transition to meet its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2035. Not only will floating wind deployment in the Celtic Sea provide a renewable and sustainable energy source, but it will also generate widespread opportunities for economic growth in Wales, protecting and creating new jobs and supply chain opportunities. 

“The co-operation agreement with Tata Steel exemplifies our commitment to utilising local supply chains and expertise to maximise benefits for the region.”

The steelworks in Port Talbot has been the cornerstone of British manufacturing for over a hundred years and Tata Steel continues to be the beating heart of Welsh industry with over 5,000 people directly employed across its sites in Wales. 

Anil Jhanji, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Steel UK, said: “Steel-making in the UK played an integral role in supporting the acceleration of the industrial revolution in the late 19th century, and the industry once again will play its part in driving the UK through the ‘Green Industrial Revolution’. 

“Whilst we cherish our history, we eagerly welcome the new opportunities which steel continues to offer, and through innovative technical solutions, we have the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2050 at the latest, and to have reduced our CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030. We are also proud to have a product portfolio that will support the UK in securing domestic renewable energy through sectors such as floating offshore wind.”

RWE is proposing to deploy a pipeline of gigawatt-scale floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea as part of the Crown Estate’s upcoming leasing round. If successful, the projects will form a key part of RWE’s innovative decarbonisation hub, Pembroke Net Zero Centre, bringing together all areas of RWE’s decarbonisation expertise and supporting the transition to net zero in South Wales. 
 
The co-operation agreement  will allow the two parties to provide technical assistance and expertise to The Crown Estate, if needed as part of the Celtic Sea leasing process. 
 

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For further enquiries:

Tim Rutter
Tata Steel
M +44 (0)7850 990755
E tim.rutter@tatasteeleurope.com

Mark Fleming
Media Relations
RWE Renewables GmbH
M +44 (0)7825 608096
E mark.fleming@rwe.com

Pictures for media use (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre

About Tata Steel UK

• Tata Steel is the largest steelmaker in the UK with primary steelmaking at Port Talbot in South Wales supporting manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway and Sweden. 
• Tata Steel employs more than 8,000 people and has an annual crude steel capacity of 5 million tonnes. The company supplies high-quality steel products to demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering. 
• Tata Steel in the UK has the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2050 at the latest and to have reduced 30% of CO2 emissions by 2030. 
• The Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes. It 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 US $32.83 Bn in the financial year ending March 31, 2022.

RWE

RWE is leading the way to a green energy world. With an extensive investment and growth strategy, the company will expand its powerful, green generation capacity to 50 gigawatts internationally by 2030. RWE is investing €50 billion gross for this purpose in this decade. The portfolio is based on offshore and onshore wind, solar, hydrogen, batteries, biomass and gas. 
RWE Supply & Trading provides tailored energy solutions for large customers. RWE has locations in the attractive markets of Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region. The company is responsibly phasing out nuclear energy and coal. Government-mandated phaseout roadmaps have been defined for both of these energy sources. RWE employs around 19,000 people worldwide and has a clear target: to get to net zero by 2040. On its way there, the company has set itself ambitious targets for all activities that cause greenhouse gas emissions. The Science Based Targets initiative has confirmed that these emission reduction targets are in line with the Paris Agreement. Very much in the spirit of the company’s purpose: Our energy for a sustainable life.