Tata Steel UK CEO T V Narendran announced that the company expects to secure electricity access for its 3.2 million tonne electric arc furnace project by 2029, as reported by Business Standard. The project, part of Tata Steel's decarbonisation plan, is being constructed at Port Talbot to replace a non-operational blast furnace plant of similar capacity. According to Narendran, the project is on track and will be ready by 2028, with power supply expected to begin in 2029. The steel major is currently in discussions with National Grid to explore options for early power supply to enable trials before full operationalisation.
As reported by Business Standard, major demolition works at the project site have been completed, and fabrication and delivery of equipment are continuing at pace. The project, which requires ₹10,000 crore investment (1.25 billion pounds), is being built with ₹2,500 crore government support (500 million pounds). The facility aims to reduce site-level CO2 emissions by 90 per cent, equivalent to 5 million tonnes annually. In May 2024, Tata Steel signed a connection offer with the Electricity System Operator (ESO), with National Grid building new electrical infrastructure capable of powering the furnace by the end of 2027.
According to Narendran's statements to Business Standard, Tata Steel UK is working with power suppliers to determine if partial power supply can be arranged before complete infrastructure is ready. The company plans to conduct trials before operationalising the project, with cold trials scheduled once the plant is ready. This approach aims to mitigate the impact of potential delays in power infrastructure development. The project represents the UK's largest low-carbon EAF initiative, positioning Tata Steel as a major player in the country's steel decarbonisation efforts.
