Huw Thomasbusiness correspondent, BBC Wales •HuwthomasTata
The impression of an artist on how the new electric arc oven is located in the existing Tata Steel site in Port Talbot
Tata Steel’s offer to build an electric arc of 1.25 billion pounds sterling in its steel Port Talbot Steelworks received the green light by the planners.
The Neath Port Talbot planning committee approved the company’s plans to start construction in summer, the furnace should be operational in early 2028.
The EAF will mainly melt steel scrap and will replace the two stove tops that closed its doors to Port Talbot last year.
In its planning application, Tata Steel said that it had lost 4 billion pounds sterling in Port Talbot since 2007 and that the new furnace would create a “financially and sustainable” company.
Tata Steel has already appointed the entrepreneur Sir Robert McCalpine to deliver the project, which will involve the demolition of existing structures and partially fulfill a lagoon on site.
The new buildings to be built will include the furnace complex, a smoke and dust factory and an ease of water treatment.
A scrap transfer plant will also be necessary.
The furnace will operate mainly in scrap steel, with other more pure forms also added in order to obtain specialized metal notes.
The new electric furnace will have ultra-basic emissions if the energy supply comes from renewable sources.
Tata Steel said that the JCB machine manufacturer had committed to buying “green” steel from the new furnace.
JCB
JCB is one of the first companies to commit to buying steel produced by the new electric arc oven in Port Talbot
Development will reduce carbon emissions up to 90% compared to the previous operation of the Haut Fourneau at Port Talbot.
Tata Steel had always said that she lost 1 million pounds sterling per day while keeping her high stoves on the move.
The closure of the high stoves and the rest of the heavy end of steel production in Port Talbot led to around 2,500 job losses in the south of Wales, with 300 others to come in the future.
Tata
Tata Steel produced a computer -generated image of the new electric arc oven, which should be operational at the beginning of 2028
Many of those who were dismissed have left the company since the end of the high stoves closed in September 2024.
Port Talbot’s steers are still in service and treat imported steel tiles. They will finally be supplied with steel produced by the new electric furnace.
