ScottishPower Renewables has officially opened its operations and maintenance base in Lowestoft for the 714MW East Anglia 1 offshore wind farm off the east coast of England.
The building, which is part of a £25m investment in the port of Lowestoft by SPR, will support day-to-day operations of the wind farm including marine coordination.
It comprises specialist offices and warehousing and will be a base for up to 100 full-time employees.
SPR project director for East Anglia 1 Charlie Jordan said: “Lowestoft is the home of East Anglia 1, and to see the operations and maintenance building fully up and running really demonstrates that fact.
“It’s not just the base of operations for the wind farm, but a symbol of our long-term commitment to the region and our drive to grow the offshore wind industry in Lowestoft and East Anglia.
“In just 14 months, the construction team have turned an empty site on the Port of Lowestoft into a state-of-the-art establishment and we are grateful for all of the work which has made the base into what you see today.
“Most of the operations and maintenance team are based within a few miles of the site and have worked on other local wind farms, bringing with them great knowledge and expertise.
“This has allowed us to perfect design elements of the base, making it super-efficient and reinforcing the East of England’s leading position in the sector.
“With the wind farm due to be complete next year, the building is already buzzing with local employees and contractors all helping us to create clean, green energy to meet the UK’s carbon reduction targets.”
EA1 will comprise Siemens Gamesa 7MW hardware and will be fully commissioned next year.
First power was delivered in September.
Macquarie’s Green Investment Group has a 40% stake in the project.