More than 440 jobs are being created and safeguarded across the North East in an offshore wind production boom - thanks to £130 million of Government and private investment announced today.

Subsea experts JDR Cable Systems in Hartlepool, part of the TFK Group, is to open a new manufacturing facility in Cambois, near Blyth, Northumberland.

JDR is receiving funding from the Government’s £160 million Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme, which, together with private investment from the company, will see £130million invested in facilities that will develop and build components for next generation wind turbines.

The investment will be used to build the new factory in Cambois and protect jobs at its existing facility in Hartlepool. More than 270 will be protected at the existing factory in Hartlepool, with a further 170 created as the company builds the new facility. Further stages of the development could result in more than 400 staff working at the site.

The project is a beneficiary of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, which is creating and protecting almost 3,600 jobs across the Humber and North-East whilst building the UK’s offshore wind capacity to deliver clean electricity.

Tomasz Nowak, Chief Executive Officer at JDR, said: “As the energy transition gathers pace and the UK’s offshore wind sector continues to thrive, turbines are growing taller and farther from shore, calling for higher voltage subsea cables.

“We’re delighted to build on our legacy as a leading provider of subsea cables to the offshore energy sector by investing in this new facility.

“We’re also delighted to continue our investment in the North East of England, and in bringing new jobs to Cambois, Blyth and Northumberland.”

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng welcomed the investment, saying: “This major investment is a perfect example of how our transition to a low carbon economy can attract new industries, create jobs, reduce our reliance on unreliable fossil fuels and generate export opportunities as we build back greener from the pandemic.”

Thanks to the £130 million investment, JDR Cable Systems’ new Blyth facility will supply its Hartlepool site with state-of-the-art cable cores and high voltage underwater cabling.

Councillor Jeff Watson, Chair of Advance Northumberland, said: “We’ve been working tirelessly to support this facility, which will be another major employer in south-east Northumberland – once the site of much heavy industry.

“We’re thrilled JDR is able to make this announcement and will continue to support them as the scheme moves forward.”