Associated British Ports (ABP) has welcomed UK energy secretary Ed Miliband to its Port of Lowestoft to officially open the newly completed Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF).
This £35m project, which includes £2.3m from the Town’s Fund, features port infrastructure designed to meet the latest requirements of the offshore wind industry.
It is playing an important role in securing the UK’s most easterly town as a hub for supporting the region’s offshore energy industry, and cementing ABP’s role as a vital enabler of the energy transition.
The development features expanded quay space and deep-water berthing, each equipped with bunkering, water and electricity connectivity.
These facilities are designed to support operations and maintenance (O&M) activities and construction support for the offshore energy industry and have been operational since September 2024.
Henrik Pedersen, ABP CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ed Miliband to officially open LEEF.
“This facility is a physical example of ABP’s commitment to enabling the energy transition.
“Ports are a crucial foundation, not just for delivering the energy transition, but also for realising investment and jobs for the UK.
“We look forward to working in partnership with industry to make it a success and deliver jobs, opportunity and prosperity for Lowestoft.”
Miliband said: “This private sector investment is a huge vote of confidence in our mission, supporting economic growth in the region and supporting a new era of clean electricity.
“The Port of Lowestoft shows that this unstoppable clean energy transition is underway, delivering our Plan for Change to rebuild Britain as part of a decade of national renewal.”
During his visit, Miliband boarded North Star’s Grampian Tweed, the latest addition to North Star’s fleet.
The vessel, which arrived in Lowestoft on 14 January 2025, is a hybrid electric service operation vessel (SOV) and has been designed to support Equinor’s operations at the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm.
The visit also included a tour of ScottishPower Renewables’ control room for its East Anglia 1 offshore wind farm as the company uses the Port of Lowestoft as its main O&M hub for the asset.
Ross Ovens, ScottishPower Renewables’ managing director for offshore, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome the Energy Secretary to Lowestoft – the home and heart of ScottishPower’s offshore wind operations in the UK – and celebrate the town’s role as a clean energy powerhouse for the offshore wind industry.
“The opening of LEEF significantly strengthens what Lowestoft can offer developers and supply chain alike to help bring clean energy projects like our East Anglia windfarms to life and deliver real and lasting benefits for local people and businesses. It’s a great addition to the region and I wish it every success.”