JDR Cable Systems break ground on multimillion pound offshore cable factory near Blyth

The £130 million project will produce subsea cables for use by offshore wind farms.

JDR Cable Systems, who own and will operate the facility, say the project has already created 171 construction jobs.

JDR is owned by TFK Group, a wire and cable production company based in Poland with manufacturing plants across Europe.

The facility will be 69 thousand metres squared and aims to begin operations in 2024.

It is to include a catenary continuous vulcanisation line for insulating and protecting the cables, making it the only facility in the UK capable of manufacturing the cables from start to finish.

Tomasz Nowak, chief executive officer at JDR, said: “We’re delighted to be starting construction as it has taken a lot of hard work from all stakeholders for spades to finally hit the ground today.

“It is a significant moment for the North East too, as projects like ours will provide more local jobs and opportunities for the people of Cambois, Bedlington and the surrounding area.

“This region and the east coast of the UK has plans to connect an incredible amount of energy infrastructure in the coming years and we are proud to be contributing to it in the midst of a growing offshore energy sector.”

The firm’s staff, local stakeholders, politicians, community leaders and businesses involved in the company’s supply chain attended a ceremony to mark the commencement of construction.

JDR received government support for the factory as part of the Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support Scheme run by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy.

Nowak added: “This is the first phase of our development in Cambois, but we’ll continue to move with confidence and pace.

“These are very exciting times for JDR and we look forward to working with the local community and our partners to deliver cutting edge subsea cable technology that secures our energy supply and powers the future economic success of this site, the region and beyond.”

This follows a week when plans for startup Britishvolt to build a £3.8 billion electric car battery gigafactory, also in Cambois, appeared in jeopardy.

Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “This is a wonderful day for our county and especially this corner of south east Northumberland.

"We are delighted to welcome JDR Cables and the employment opportunities they bring.

“It is a hugely important business we have helped attract to the county, bringing multi-million pound investment and almost 200 jobs.

“It is also great to see Northumberland at the very forefront of modern technology. This is a site with a proud history of heavy industry and it’s fitting that it’s once again a centre for innovation and power in the 21st Century.

“I am sure JDR Cables will continue to have a very positive working relationship with the council and will be playing our part to ensure that happens.”

MP for Blyth Valley Ian Levy said: “I have been working hard with Northumberland County Council and the government to attract this important £130m project to the Blyth Estuary at Cambois.

"JDR Cables are a world-class British company in the renewable energy sector and it is fantastic to see them award the contract to construct the factory and host this ground-breaking ceremony.

“Our area needs these jobs and I am sure we will do JDR proud by providing the hard working and skilled workforce they need to make their project an international success.”