MARINE engineering firm Able UK has started taking delivery of parts for the world's largest wind farm after winning a multi-million pound contract.

The company, which employs hundreds across Teesside, is storing the components which will make up installation bases for the turbines in the Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm, off the east coast of England in the North Sea.

The project will create at least six new jobs and safeguard a further six jobs at Able's Seaton base.

The Seaton port currently carries out ship decommissioning, upgrading of oil rigs and is a cargo port for specific engineering projects. It has the world's largest dry dock at 25 acres.

Delivering the turbine foundations is adding another string to the company's bow of capabilities.

Able will provide the installation bases and associated services for Hornsea, which will be the biggest wind farm of its kind when it is complete.

Able's port received the first delivery of 174, 900-ton monopiles – the part of the turbine which goes under the sea bed to keep it stable –and 174, 350-ton transition pieces, which connect the foundation to the main base.

Components are coming from Germany, Denmark and more locally OSB and Wilton Engineering, both based on the River Tees.

Peter Stephenson, executive chairman of Teesside-based Able UK, which is a privately-owned firm, said: "This is another major milestone for our company.

"We see the success in securing this type of project as very much the result of our ongoing investment in precisely the sort of specialist facilities required by this sector.

“It is particularly pleasing that some of the components are being manufactured in Teesside, proving, yet again, that the area has the pedigree and the infrastructure to compete at the highest level.”

Duncan Clark, Hornsea Project One's programme director, added: “Able Seaton Port has a wealth of facilities and experience that we believe will add real value in delivering logistical support to the world’s largest wind farm.”

The first 12 huge monopiles were delivered to Able Seaton on the cargo vessel Svenja and deliveries will continue over the coming months.

Collections have already started. Hornsea's project one wind farm is expected to be completed by 2020.

It is located 120 km offshore the coast of Humber, and will have 174 turbines covering an area of 407 square kilometres, capable of powering more than one million UK homes. It is owned and operated by Denmark-based Orsted.