Tata Steel's new electric arc furnace in Port Talbot given green light

18 February 2025, 12:45 | Updated: 18 February 2025, 14:46

Plans for a new electric arc furnace in Port Talbot have been approved by the local planning authority.

Tata Steel's application was given the go-ahead on Tuesday morning at a meeting of Neath Port Talbot Council's planning committee.

The company closed both of its blast furnaces last year and said they would be replaced by an electric arc furnace, as part of its transition to greener production methods.

The closure of the blast furnaces have seen nearly 3,000 jobs lost, but Tata says 5,000 UK-based jobs have been saved, with on-site CO2 emissions cut by 90%.

A supporting document considered by the planning committee, which recommended the application's approval, noted that it was a "development of national strategic importance".

The application included the demolition of existing buildings and structures as well as the construction of the new facility.

Rajesh Nair, chief executive of Tata Steel UK, said the company was "committed to begin large-scale work on site this summer".

Mr Nair said the £1.25bn investment was "the most significant investment made in the UK steel industry in decades".

The investment was supported by funding from the UK government of £500m.

It is anticipated the electric arc furnace will be in operation at the end of 2027.

Read more from Sky News:
British couple detained in Iran charged with espionage
Passengers describe miracle escape from plane crash

The news that planning permission has been granted has been welcomed by Wales Secretary Jo Stevens, who described it as a "significant step forward".

She said the decision provided "more certainty over Tata's plans for the site and for the future of steelmaking in South Wales".

(c) Sky News 2025: Tata Steel's new electric arc furnace in Port Talbot given green light