The Port of Blyth begun major redevelopment construction works at one of its terminals, after winning development consent for expansion from Northumberland County Council,

The £3 million project will see the reconstruction and strengthening of the quay on the Bates Terminal site as well as a kilometre of new roadway.

Once completed, the works will unlock 6Ha of quayside land and provide an additional heavy lift quay. The development opportunity is expected to generate significant interest from sectors including offshore wind and renewables.

The Port of Blyth is one of the UK’s leading offshore energy bases. Andrew Hodgson, chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, which has been working with the port, said: “Our £2.85 million investment alongside the Port of Blyth will help to further cement Blyth and the wider region as a key location for the offshore and subsea sectors, whilst also offering port customers across a range of sectors additional growth opportunities.”

The terminal redevelopment comes as Blyth’s Energy Central partnership is completing the £32 million Northumberland Energy Park (phase 1) on the former Blyth power station site on the north side of the river. with keen interest in the site from several operators in the offshore wind industry.

Designed to create anent for inward investment from the offshore and renewable energy sectors, Energy Central is a collaboration between Port of Blyth, Advance Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.