Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed by Tata Steel as main works contractor as part of the £1.25bn investment in low CO2 ‘green’ steelmaking at its Port Talbot steelworks.

McAlpine will be responsible for managing the main, civil, structural and building works required for the construction of a new electric arc furnace-based steel production facility that will produce around three million tonnes of steel per year.

The project will see the construction of a new electric arc furnace, ladle furnaces and associated works - all built within the existing Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) plant and surrounding external areas.

This major initiative is aimed at transforming Port Talbot to support Tata Steel UK’s decarbonisation goals, securing a more sustainable future and ultimately leading to a new chapter in UK steelmaking.

The project aims to be completed over a three-year construction period, with enabling works for the project commencing in the first quarter of 2025 and main civil, structural and building works scheduled to start in the autumn, subject to planning approval.

The ambitious project hopes to make Port Talbot the leading centre for low-CO2 steel production not only by investing into steelmaking technology but also through investing in its people, with resources dedicated for upskilling the workforce in electric arc furnace technology.

Tata Steel’s EAF Project Lead, Peter Jones, said: “We’re delighted to confirm the appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine to support us on this once-in-a-generation investment project.

“Our new arc furnace will be one of the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the world, so it is important that we work with highly skilled and experienced partners to ensure its success.”

Craig Allen, managing director, industrial, Sir Robert McAlpine, added: “We are proud to be part of the decarbonisation of Port Talbot steelworks, which will play a pivotal role in turning the Port Talbot site into a world-leading hub for sustainable steel production.

“Our robust relationship with Tata Steel UK and long-standing industrial expertise makes us the ideal partner for this transformation. We look forward to working collaboratively, as part of a fully Integrated Project Team, to deliver the project successfully.”

Sir Robert McAlpine has been working closely with Tata Steel UK since September 2022, supporting with the feasibility studies associated with the construction of the new state-of-the-art facility, and has previous experience of working in Port Talbot having been responsible for the construction of various parts of the steelworks over the past 70 years.