East Anglia Offshore Wind Signs MoU with IPH, ABP (UK)

East Anglia Offshore Wind, a 50-50 Joint Venture between ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall, today confirmed it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with both International Port Holdings (IPH) of Great Yarmouth Port Company and Associated British Ports (ABP) of Lowestoft.

These MoU’s highlight that Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Ports have the opportunity to play key roles in the construction and operation of the East Anglia Offshore Wind farm projects.

Talks are also continuing with other port operators on how best to support future construction and operational requirements of the development.

Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables won the right to develop the East Anglia zone in January 2010 from The Crown Estate following the third licensing round for offshore wind. The Zone has the potential to deliver 7,200 MW of offshore wind capacity, and would meet the equivalent electricity needs of over five million UK households.

 East Anglia Offshore Wind Programme Director, Jason Martin, said “The East Anglia zone is one of the largest offshore wind farm developments in the world and will require significant construction and operational support in the coming decades.

 “Our discussions with local port operators demonstrate the strong offshore energy support services and experience in the region and we are currently building our technical and economic case to allow our construction and operations activities to be focused in this part of the country.

 “Furthermore, by entering into the MoUs we are demonstrating our confidence in the capabilities of the local ports to support the delivery of our Offshore Wind project over the long term and look forward to exploring the prospect of building on these agreements in due course.”

Eliza O’Toole Deputy Chair of Great Yarmouth Port Company said “We have been in dialogue with East Anglia Offshore Wind since they were awarded the East Anglia Zone. We are delighted to have entered into detailed MoU and right now we remain focused on concluding the arrangements to secure this significant employment and investment opportunity for our business and the wider East Anglian community.”

 Nick Ridehalgh, ABP Port Director, Short Sea Ports said:

 “Having successfully worked with both Scottish Power Renewables and Vattenfall in respect of recent onshore and offshore wind projects through other ABP facilities, we are delighted to now be working closely with EAOW at Lowestoft. Lowestoft is the UK’s most easterly port and this strategic location, close to the proposed East Anglian zone, ensures the port is especially well placed to service the long term requirements of East Anglia Offshore Wind and the rapidly expanding offshore renewable energy sector.”

East Anglian MP’s Peter Aldous and Brandon Lewis both welcomed the announcement: “We are pleased to see this strong interest in East Anglia’s ports, which include areas of the Enterprise Zone recently announced by the Government. Our region has a strong track record of delivery across the energy sector and we are well located to gain from forecast growth in Offshore Wind. We look forward to working with East Anglia Offshore Wind as they develop their proposals.”

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Source: scottishpower, October 31, 2011