Tata Steel appoints Sir Robert McAlpine to support Port Talbot development

Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed main works contractor to support Tata Steel's £1.25bn investment into ‘green’ steelmaking at its Port Talbot steelworks.

Main civil, structural and building works are scheduled to start in Q3 2025
Main civil, structural and building works are scheduled to start in Q3 2025 - Tata Steel

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

In a statement, 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.

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“We have a longstanding and trusted collaborative relationship with Sir Robert McAlpine, so are confident they are the right partner for us in the project.”

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

The project aims to be completed over a three-year construction period, with enabling works for the project commencing in Q1 2025 and main civil, structural and building works scheduled to start in Q3 2025, subject to planning approval.

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

Sir Robert McAlpine and Tata Steel UK will work with the local workforce, including secondary and higher education institutions, to facilitate training and skills development, as well as nurturing strategic relationships with supply chain partners to support the project’s delivery.