ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) is leading the drive to a clean energy future with the development of four wind farms off the Suffolk coast – helping to transform East Anglia into a global leader in offshore wind energy.
The four wind farms – which together form the East Anglia Zone – will provide a combined capacity of over 3GW of energy. That’s enough green electricity to power the equivalent of more than three million homes and will help the UK to meet its target of net zero by 2050.
In delivering the projects, SPR is investing heavily in East Anglia, to the benefit of local people, suppliers and communities.
East Anglia ONE, completed in 2020, saw approximately £145m invested locally and almost 3,500 jobs supported at the peak of construction – including more than 800 highly-skilled constructions jobs for local people. The project also created 100 long-term skilled jobs at SPR’s purpose-built operations and maintenance (O&M) base at the Port of Lowestoft.
The firm also created entry-level jobs for local young people through the launch of its first offshore wind apprenticeship programme, which was complemented by apprenticeship placements within the supply chain.
Support and O&M contracts worth almost £40m were awarded to several local companies – and other firms have opened new offices in the region, providing a further boost to the local economy.
Stowmarket-based ONRG has worked with SPR since 2018. ONRG’s electrical engineers worked within the East Anglia ONE team to support the operation of the high-voltage (HV) electricity network to ensure that electricity generated from the wind farm was delivered safely and efficiently to the Grid and then onwards to homes and businesses.
They also provided expert training to support the SPR operations team taking on direct management and operation of the HV network, which ONRG continues to support when required.
Chris Emmins, operations director for ONRG, said one of the company’s most notable accomplishments is the electrical safety training it has provided to the East Anglia ONE team at SPR.
Chris explained: “We take great satisfaction in knowing that our contributions have participated to the SPR team’s professional growth and success.”
He added: “The close relationship we have with SPR has been instrumental in the growth of our business.”
Working with SPR has also had a positive impact on Turner Iceni, a renewable energy vessel specialist based in Lowestoft.
The business supported the construction of East Anglia ONE, which saw it supply crew transfer vessels for the project.
“Supporting SPR through this contract was pivotal in our growth,” said company director Richard Thurlow. “Both internally, with growth and improvements to our back office and engineering support, and externally with increased service offering including supply duties, medical support and temporary power for the offshore wind turbine cranes.”
Marex is one of several companies that have expanded to Suffolk after landing a contract with SPR.
The risk management firm, which is headquartered in Aberdeen, is covering all marine services for the operations and maintenance of East Anglia ONE. This led it to open an office at the OrbisEnergy hub in Lowestoft.
“We’ve found a real energy buzz and ambition in the east of England that matches Marex’s ambition as we drive forward with our diversification into renewable energy,” said managing director Wayne Henderson.
“We are looking to support SPR not just in the marine operations and maintenance of wind turbines but also in the marine construction phase of wind turbines in the UK and internationally.”
Gillian Noble, SPR’s UK managing director for offshore development and operations, said: “East Anglia ONE is a real jewel in our crown and a brilliant example of the positive impacts offshore wind can deliver – not just in terms of generating more renewable energy, but in supporting the supply chain and boosting the local economy.
“There’s a wealth of talent, skills and expertise across the region and we look forward to making the most of this as we continue working on our East Anglia projects, investing billions of pounds and supporting thousands of jobs.”
For more information on SPR’s investment in East Anglia, please visit scottishpowerrenewables.com/pages/east_anglia
This article is part of the EADT's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.
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