Able Group: Supporting Jobs, British Steel and the Offshore Wind Industry at Scale
The head of Able Humber Port says the company stands ready to offer a constructive and immediate response to the evolving situation at British Steel’s Scunthorpe site, where plans have been announced to close its blast furnace operations.
Said Able UK Executive Chairman Peter Stephenson, “This challenging news for workers, families, and the wider community across North Lincolnshire and the Humber region requires timely and collaborative action. The UK steel industry is at a pivotal moment, and Able Humber Port (AHP) is well-positioned to contribute to a long-term, sustainable solution.”
Located just 20 miles from Scunthorpe, Able Humber Port is shovel-ready and uniquely positioned to become the UK’s first fully integrated offshore wind cluster port, unlocking over 2,000 construction jobs and 7,000 long-term, high-value roles in manufacturing, logistics, and clean energy deployment by 2031.
Added Mr Stephenson, “The Humber can be at the centre of a new wave of industrial opportunity — one that protects skilled jobs, strengthens UK energy security, and delivers Net Zero.”
“With Government support to unlock key quay infrastructure, Able Humber Port will create new opportunities for skilled workers in North Lincolnshire and help the UK develop offshore wind manufacturing currently majority overseas.”
The development will bring an additional £641m in private investment to AHP and enable the delivery of advanced manufacturing capabilities, aligned with the interest shown by major global offshore wind manufacturers and developers. Their plans for turbine manufacturing and installation would create thousands of long-term jobs across the region.
Support from Government — in the form of a recoverable investment to assist with the quay development — would unlock significant private sector growth. Forecasts project tax revenues of £2.2bn in 15 years and £4.3bn in 25 years, with further revenue generated for The Crown Estate from offshore wind electricity generation.
Able Humber Port and Able Energy Parks offers:
Fully permitted, construction-ready sites.
Immediate job creation through quay and infrastructure development.
Capacity to support the installation of approximately 3GW of turbines annually from 2028, with up to 2GW available for export to other UK ports or international markets.
Opportunities for reskilling steelworkers into the offshore wind and green steel sectors.
As North Lincolnshire’s economy undergoes significant transition, Able Group encourages the UK Government and regional leaders to support this nationally significant project — helping secure the region’s role in the UK’s green industrial future.