‘Major step forward’ - Government accelerates planning £175million Port of Tyne green energy project
Plans to create 12,000 new jobs at the Port of Tyne through a green energy project have taken a major step forward.
The government has accelerated planning and regulatory approvals on a £175million green energy project that could see 12,000 jobs created at the Port of Tyne.
In September 2025, plans were revealed for the Port of Tyne’s Clean Energy Park as the North East looks to support the offshore wind industry.
Now the plans have taken a step closer to becoming a reality as the government appoints the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) as Lead Environmental Regulator for the development, which will transform the north and south banks at the Port.
It means that MMO will act as a single point of contact to coordinate streamlined, joined-up advice from regulators, streamline decision-making and minimise delays, without compromising environmental standards.
‘Major step forward’
Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne CEO, has branded that announcement as a “major step forward” for the Port supporting the offshore wind sector.
He stated: "Today's announcement marks another major step forward for the new north-side port terminal at the Tyne Clean Energy Park.
"By entering the Lead Environmental Regulator Process, we anticipate a streamlined path to delivering this nationally significant piece of infrastructure.
"The terminal will feature 400 metres of new deep-water quayside, supporting the UK's offshore renewables sector and advanced manufacturing ambitions."
‘This is great news’
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, has welcomed the government’s appointment of MMO to the £175m project.
She commented: "I'm always proud to work closely with the Port of Tyne to make the case for investment in our area.
“This project will help create thousands of new jobs and strengthen South Shields' role in the clean energy transition.
“This is great news from the Government, not just for the Port, but for our whole region."
Doubling the amount of green energy sector jobs
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, has stated she wants to increase the number of green energy jobs within the region and the project will help to do that.
She said: “I want to double the number of green energy jobs in our region by 2035, so local people have great well-paid jobs on their doorstep.
"This new clean energy terminal Port of Tyne is bringing forward is a brilliant step towards that goal creating thousands of jobs and showing that we are the English home of green energy."
Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, has previously praised the North East’s clean energy sector during a visit to the Port of Tyne in December last year.
Speaking during the visit, he said: “I’m bowled over by what is happening here, just seeing the opportunities in Tyneside - it feels like the future is being built here.
“It is giving young people a future and that is what is so exciting about it.”
The Port of Tyne has confirmed that the Environment Agency and Natural England are set to continue as key advisors for the project.
The MMO will coordinate their input from the outset to ensure that any issues are identified and resolved as quickly as possible, as well as keeping the green energy project on track.