As 2025 draws to a close, it’s been a year defined by momentum, delivery and long-term impact at Teesworks.

From major milestones at Steel River Quay to international investment, skills development and national recognition, the Teesworks site continues to transform the former steelworks into one of the UK’s most important centres for clean energy, advanced manufacturing and economic growth.

Here, we look back at some of the key achievements and progress made across the year.

Driving skills, talent and opportunity

A central pillar of Teesworks’ success in 2025 has been its continued investment in people and skills – ensuring local communities are equipped to access the thousands of jobs being created on site.

Throughout the year, the Teesworks Skills Academy welcomed schools, students and educators from across the region, offering hands-on insight into careers in clean energy, construction, engineering and logistics. Highlights included SEND Next Steps Day, SEND Enterprise Challenge Week and a series of targeted schools visits designed to inspire the next generation.

The Skills Academy also supported and celebrated National Apprenticeship Week, showcasing the growing number of training pathways now available on site. The Nordic training programme, alongside NEP and Net Zero Teesside (NZT) training, further strengthened international best practice and future-focused skills development.

The Teesside Clean Energy Technician Scholars visit and the launch of a new cohort of Tees Valley Net Zero Scholarships, reinforced Teesside’s position as a leader in clean energy skills, while the Outwood Riverside site visit as part of ‘The Big Big Project’ helped engage young people with real-world regeneration and infrastructure projects.

Steel River Quay – A year of operational milestones

2025 marked a standout year for Steel River Quay (SRQ), cementing its role as a critical piece of offshore and maritime infrastructure within the Teesworks site.

Over the course of the year:

• 70 vessels were handled at SRQ – an average of 1.35 vessels per week
• The quay was occupied for 6,581 hours, equating to 75% of the year
• 102,274.468 tonnes of cargo were handled across the quay

Early in the year, SRQ imported 36 wind farm tower sections into storage before successfully re-exporting them later in 2025. The quay also hosted multiple project mobilisations for the Prysmian cable‑laying fleet, supporting major offshore infrastructure works.

The first commercial delivery of flanges for Hornsea 3 also took place at SRQ, reinforcing the quay’s growing importance in the offshore wind supply chain.

Offshore wind and clean energy momentum

This year saw continued progress for major clean energy projects anchored at Teesworks. SeAH Wind remained a focal point throughout the year, with key milestones reached as the facility moved towards full production.

2025 included high-profile visits, including His Majesty King Charles III at SeAH Wind, as well as a visit from the UK’s Ambassador to South Korea, Colin Crooks, underlining the international significance of the investment and the strength of UK-Korea partnerships.

Later in the year, SeAH Wind officially started production, marking a major step forward for the UK offshore wind sector and the creation of high-value jobs on Teesside.

Further strengthening the site’s energy credentials, planning approval was granted for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), supporting grid resilience and the transition to net zero.

Investment, infrastructure and growth

Across 2025, Teesworks continued to progress enabling infrastructure to support long-term growth. Significant steps were made on the park and ride facility, improving connectivity to the site and supporting future workforce demand.

Plans also advanced for a new service centre, with pre-commencement activity beginning towards the end of the year, alongside ongoing discussions around hybrid commercial units to support a diverse range of occupiers.

The scale of impact was further highlighted by forecasts showing Teesworks is expected to deliver six times the Government’s target return on public investment, underlining the project’s national economic importance.

Events, engagement and recognition

2025 was a busy year for events and industry engagement. Teesworks attended and sponsored an award at the Insider North East Property Awards as well as attending the Property Week Awards, helping showcase the regeneration story on a national stage.

Director Matt Johnson represented Teesworks at major industry forums, including speaking at UKREiiF and the Insider Tees Valley Economic Future Business Breakfast, sharing insights on investment, regeneration and the future of clean energy.

The year also marked reflective moments, including the 10 Years On milestone since the steelworks closure and a Five Years On celebratory event in partnership with the Teesworks Benevolent Foundation, recognising the progress made since regeneration began.

Leadership and the year ahead!

In June 2025, John Barnes was appointed CEO of the South Tees Development Corporation, bringing renewed leadership and focus as Teesworks enters its next phase.

With SeAH Wind now operational, Hornsea 3 components arriving on site, skills programmes expanding and infrastructure taking shape, Teesworks heads into 2026 with strong momentum.

From international investment to local opportunity, Teesworks has had a defining year – laying firm foundations for continued growth, jobs and clean energy leadership in the years ahead.

Thank you to all of our partners, contractors, educators and communities who have played a role in another transformative year at Teesworks.

TIMELINE:

JANUARY 25

• Nordic training programme begins.

FEBRUARY 25

• National Apprenticeship Week events.
• Secured planning permission for office and commercial space.
• HRH King Charles visits SeAH Wind facility.
• Tees Valley Net Zero Industry Scholarship launch.

MARCH 25

• £18m South Bank Watercourse completed.

APRIL 25

• Outwood Riverside visit for ‘The Big Big Project’.

MAY 25

• Teesworks shortlisted for National Property Award.
• Greenlight for battery storage site.
• Park and ride progresses.

JUNE 25

• John Barnes appointed CEO of STDC.
• Service centre plans approved.

JULY 25

• Orsted’s Hornsea 3 backs Steel River Quay.
• SeAH Wind commences commercial production.

AUG UST– SEPTEMBER 25

• UK’s Ambassador to South Korea visits SeAH Wind.
• Tees Maritime Cluster activity.

OCTOBER 25

• Steelworks closure commemoration.
• Tees Valley Net Zero scholarships begin.
• Five-year anniversary event.