TEESSIDE has missed out on being the location for a multi-million pound operations and maintenance base for the world’s biggest wind farm.

Instead 200 new jobs will be directly created at the Port of Tyne by firms Equinor and SSE Renewables, who are behind the Dogger Farm wind project in the North Sea which will eventually provide five per cent of the UK’s electricity needs.

Teesside Airport could still be used for a proposed heliport to service work on the wind farm, construction of which began in January, however it will not now be the headquarters for the base.

It was hoped manufacturing could have taken place on land now belonging to the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) near Redcar – formerly used by the SSI steel plant – with work on a potential deal being undertaken by PD Ports with support from the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he still expected good jobs to flow from the Port of Tyne operation and go to people in Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington.

There are also expected to be positive supply chain benefits across the North-East.

He added: “We are speaking to four major manufacturers about bringing offshore wind manufacturing to the Tees, and, with Net Zero Teesside, we will become the centre for UK clean growth with the world’s first full-scale carbon capture, utilisation and storage facility, creating 5,500 direct jobs.

“Because we have secured all of the former SSI land, following the deal we did with the Thai banks and winning the compulsory purchase proceedings, we can crack on and take this to a whole new level and attract investment and good quality local jobs.”

However, there was criticism at the outcome from Councillor Carl Quartermain, the leader of the Labour group on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, who said Tyneside’s gain had been Teesside’s loss.

He said: “It raises questions over investment into the STDC site and why SSE and Equinor chose Tyneside over Teesside.”

Cllr Quartermain said that despite frequent promises of new jobs at the 4,500 acre site, none had yet been delivered.

Commenting on the new planned facility at the Port of Tyne, Business Secretary Alok Sharma said it was “fantastic news for Tyneside and the North-East of England”.

The UK Government has pledged to cut carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 and is relying on major scale renewable energy projects like Dogger Bank to help achieve that aim.

Stephen Bull, senior vice president for Equinor North Sea New Energy Solutions, said: “The North-East has a strong industrial heritage and a supply area that stretches north and south of the River Tyne.

“With a strong low-carbon vision for the future, as well as targets to become net zero in its own operations by 2030, the Port of Tyne is clearly well set up to attract future investments which we hope will complement our activities.

“We are extremely proud that our skilled teams will operate the world’s largest offshore wind farm from here and look forward to becoming part of the community and strengthening our low-carbon commitment to the North East.”

Paul Cooley, SSE Renewables director of capital projects, said: “The announcement cements SSE Renewables’ and Equinor’s commitment to developing long term jobs and economic benefit in the UK and we are very pleased to welcome the Port of Tyne to the project.”

Matt Beeton, chief executive at the Port of Tyne said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been selected by Equinor and SSE Renewables as the port of choice to house the operations and maintenance base for the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

“This is clearly a very important milestone in attracting such leading names in offshore power generation to the port, but it’s also extremely important for the wider region in terms of local supply chain and employment opportunities.”