Electric arc furnace to be built in Wales by Tata Steel
This facility is part of a £1.25 billion transformation towards low CO₂ steelmaking, supported by £500 million from the UK Government.
The furnace will be commissioned at the end of 2027.
Mr Chandrasekaran said: "This is an important day for Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK.
"Today's groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of a new Electric Arc Furnace, but a new era for sustainable manufacturing in Britain.
"At Port Talbot, we are building the foundations of a cleaner, greener future, supporting jobs, driving innovation, and demonstrating our commitment to responsible industry leadership."
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "This is our Industrial Strategy in action and is great news for Welsh steelmaking backing this crucial Welsh industry, which will give certainty to local communities and thousands of local jobs for years to come.
"This government is committed to a bright future for our steel industry, which is why we provided £500 million of funding to make this project possible.
"Our modern Industrial Strategy will set out how we'll back the sector even further to drive growth and create well-paid jobs across the country, as part of our Plan for Change."
Tata Steel's new electric arc furnace is set to be the largest in the UK (Image: Tata Steel)
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: "The construction of Tata's new furnace realises the promise we made to the community, while the development of floating offshore wind, plans for a Celtic Freeport and millions more for local regeneration all mean that Port Talbot has a bright future."
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: "This is a momentous day for heavy industry in Wales, as the electric arc furnace has secured the long-term future of steel making at Port Talbot.
"Seeing spades in the ground today provides a tangible sign of Tata's intention to continue producing steel in the area, an industry which has provided quality jobs to local people for generations."
The project will be led by main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine.
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