The Port of Blyth has launched its Battleship Wharf Expansion scheme, setting out plans for an investment of up to £100 million to expand key port infrastructure for offshore wind and low-carbon energy projects.

The scheme was announced at the Port’s Annual Public Meeting. Its early development phase is being jointly funded by the Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority, alongside £275,000 in match funding awarded by The Crown Estate through the second round of its £50 million Supply Chain Accelerator fund.

The project is designed to unlock additional operational capacity at the Port, allowing it to support larger offshore energy projects and emerging clean energy technologies. It builds on more than 25 years of offshore wind activity at Blyth and reinforces the Port’s role in the UK’s clean energy transition.

Planned works include around three hectares of reclaimed land, up to 260m of quay extensions and rock revetment linking to the new deep-water berth next to the JDR cable factory. Channel and berth deepening are also planned to improve access for larger vessels.

Additional heavy-duty handling equipment will be introduced to support next-generation offshore components. Together, the upgrades are expected to attract clean energy manufacturers, create hundreds of jobs and strengthen the North East’s clean energy supply chain.

The announcement follows The Crown Estate’s recent confirmation of new seabed leasing opportunities for offshore wind development directly off the North East coast, further strengthening the region’s role in the UK’s energy future.

Martin Lawlor OBE, Chief Executive of the Port of Blyth, said the expansion would provide the infrastructure, capacity and capability needed to support future offshore wind and clean energy projects.

Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of the North East Combined Authority, said the investment would help the region deliver offshore wind at scale while unlocking jobs and investment.

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said the expansion would support Blyth and Northumberland as they seek to remain at the forefront of the clean energy sector.