ScottishPower Picks Lowestoft as East Anglia ONE Operations Hub

ScottishPower Renewables has agreed on a GBP 25 million, thirty-year deal with the Port of Lowestoft to act as a construction and operations hub for the East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm.

Following discussions with Associated British Ports, ScottishPower Renewables will utilise the Port of Lowestoft as its construction management base for East Anglia ONE, and also the main operations and maintenance hub for the anticipated 30 year lifespan of the wind farm.

Initial investment in the port will be used to establish the new operations facility and to carry out upgrades and modifications to the port and surrounding harbour area.

This follows on from ScottishPower Renewables’ announcement on Wednesday that plans for the East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm had been officially submitted to the Planning Directorate.

The development will require up to 172 wind turbines and covers an area of 305 km2 in the southern North Sea. Once completed, East Anglia THREE could power the annual electricity demands of more than 750,000 homes. If approved, it is anticipated that onshore construction could begin in 2021, with offshore work starting in 2022 and first power generation achieved in 2023.

“In Lowestoft, we will manage construction activities and operate and maintain our East Anglia ONE project for at least the next three decades,” Jonathan Cole, Managing Director of Offshore Wind at ScottishPower Renewables, said.

“Our East Anglia THREE planning submission also highlights our continued commitment to the region, and the tremendous potential in the East of England to develop further large offshore wind projects. We have helped to drive costs down in the industry, which increases the prospects of these major infrastructure projects being delivered. We hope for a successful outcome to our application, and we look forward to continue growing the offshore wind industry in East Anglia.”

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Image: Waveney District Council