A South Korean steel group plans to build what it says will be the world’s largest plant producing offshore wind monopile foundations in the UK.

SeAH Steel Holdings plans to start production in the first quarter of 2023 with a target output of 100 monopiles a year, according to reports in the South Korean media following a memorandum of understanding between the company and the UK government.

No further details the plant or its location were reported following the signing ceremony in Seoul, but UK trade minister Lord Grimstone was quoted as saying the British government would “provide full support such as arranging contracts with offshore wind businesses, selecting the most optimal site for facilities, and providing R&D business opportunities”.

The Korean reports, including in the national Yonhap news agency, state SeAH wants to account for about half UK monopile demand as part of a major push into the offshore wind sector.

Local tensions

The UK is currently the world’s largest market for offshore wind with more than 10GW operating and a target for 40GW by 2030 – and calls for 75GW or more if the nation is to meet its 2050 net-zero ambitions.

But the scale of the nation’s deployment ambitions, allied to steep cost reductions in successive auctions, have led to tensions over the level of industrial benefits the UK is enjoying.

Unions have criticised the awarding of contracts for major components, such as foundations, abroad by developers who have responded that no competitive local alternative is available.

The GMB Union in Scotland in June told Recharge the UK was “outsourcing the green revolution” after foundations supply deals were placed overseas.

The UK’s Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and SeAH have been contacted for comment by Recharge.

Wind

South Koreans plan 'world's largest' offshore wind monopile plant in UK