Grid delays push Port Talbot furnace start to late 2028 or early 2029; Tata seeks more UK funding

Tata Steel UK/Port Talbot electric arc furnace

Tata Steel said delays in getting enough grid power to Port Talbot had pushed the electric arc furnace's start from early 2028 to late 2028 or early 2029. The company has approached the UK government for extra support beyond its £500M grant, as the delay raises costs. Reports put the request in the hundreds of millions of pounds; the amount has not been disclosed.

• New commissioning target: late 2028 or early 2029 (was early 2028; end-2027 originally).
• Cause: delays securing sufficient electricity access.
• Original package: £1.25B with a £500M government grant.
• Extra amount sought undisclosed; press reports say hundreds of millions of pounds.